The Miami Heat got a much-needed lift in their win over the Atlanta Hawks, and Andrew Wiggins was a major reason why.
Bam Adebayo’s breakthrough night will grab plenty of attention, and deservedly so, but Wiggins gave Miami something else it has been searching for: a dependable third option. If the Heat are going to make real noise this season, they need that kind of steady production behind Bam and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Wiggins delivered exactly that against Atlanta. He finished with 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, while shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 4-for-7 from 3-point range.
For Miami, the bigger takeaway was the efficiency. That’s the kind of offensive punch the Heat have been missing.
Even with Bam’s big showing, the Heat have not had many reliable scoring answers when Giannis isn’t controlling the paint. Tim Hardaway Jr. has shown signs of offensive competence, and Pelle Larsson’s versatility has flashed, but Wiggins is the one who can really change the ceiling of this group.
That was always part of the conversation coming into the season. Miami’s offense had questions, especially around the amount of shooting and overall firepower it could get from the supporting cast.
Wiggins’ early slump only made those concerns louder. Through the first four games, the doubts were justified.
This game looked a lot more like the version of Wiggins the Heat were counting on. Last season, he averaged 15 points and five rebounds while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range.
In the first four games this year, he was averaging nine points and four rebounds on 12 percent shooting from deep. That gap was impossible to ignore.
The Hawks game offered a different picture. If Wiggins can keep playing like this with any kind of consistency, Miami’s offense changes fast. The math shifts, the rotation looks deeper, and the Heat suddenly have more ways to win.
For now, that’s the hope in Miami: that this wasn’t just one good night, but the start of something real.
In Other News...
Tyler Herro Just Reopened A Heat Debate Fans Wanted Gone
Tyler Herros strong start in Milwaukee has done more than give his new team its first win of the season. It has also nudged an old Heat conversation back into view, especially as Miami stumbled to 0-4 out of the gate. Herro delivered a near triple-double in the Bucks breakthrough, and the timing has only sharpened the contrast for a fan base still sorting through what his departure meant.
Austin Herro added another layer by posting a cryptic message on social media that appeared aimed at Heat fans, which was enough to stir the pot on a sore subject. There has also been talk this offseason of a physical altercation between Tyler Herro and former teammate Bam Adebayo, while Adebayo has drawn criticism for his slow start. For Miami, it is one more reminder that the aftermath of the Herro chapter is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]
Pelle Larsson May Have Given The Heat A Needed Bench Answer
Pelle Larssons latest outing gave Miami something it has been searching for off the bench: a reliable secondary creator who can keep the offense moving when the game starts to get sticky. In a recent Heat win, Larsson supplied 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists, and his ability to make plays without overcomplicating possessions helped the team find a better rhythm on offense.
Erik Spoelstra pointed to Larssons improved decision-making and versatility as a big reason Miami was able to lean more into pick-and-roll action and generate cleaner looks. For a team that just posted its highest scoring total of the season, that kind of bench production matters, and Larssons role now feels like one of the more interesting developments to watch as the Heat try to keep that offensive flow going. [Read more 🡒]
Heat Finally Showed A Look Miami Fans Have Been Waiting For
After a rough stretch, the Heat got a much-needed reset in Atlanta with a 129-117 win that stopped the skid and gave Miami something it had been missing for much of the early season: a cleaner, more connected offensive look. The ball moved better, the floor opened up more naturally, and the pick-and-roll finally looked like a reliable source of pressure rather than a possession-killer.
Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the effort with 24 points and 18 rebounds, while Bam Adebayo made his own mark by setting the franchises all-time career rebounding record. For a team that has spent so much time searching for rhythm, the bigger question now is whether this was a one-night fix or the start of something more sustainable as the schedule turns. [Read more 🡒]