If you use Hextech Ray to deal 3 damage to an enemy unit outside of combat, does the unit heal before you can attack it, or does it still have the damage when you attack?

Question

Accepted Answer

Ruling: When you deal damage to a unit with a spell outside of combat, the unit does not heal immediately. If you then attack that unit with one of your units, it will still have the damage marked on it when combat damage is dealt.

Sequence:
- Cast spell (e.g., Hextech Ray) to deal damage to enemy unit
- Damage is marked on the unit
- Attack the damaged unit with your unit
- Units deal damage to each other while the spell damage is still marked
- Units heal at the end of combat

Nuances:
- Dealing damage with a spell does not start a combat or showdown
- Playing a spell starts a chain, not a showdown
- Units heal at the end of turn and at the end of each combat, not immediately after taking damage