Giannis Antetokounmpo is already feeling his way into a new routine with the Miami Heat, and one thing stood out to him right away: Davion Mitchell plays at a blistering pace.
Antetokounmpo turned in a big preseason outing in Miami’s 144-128 win over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists in 24 minutes. It was the kind of near triple-double line that reminded everyone how easily he can take over a game, even while he’s still settling into a new setting.
After the game, Giannis said he felt “jitters” playing in front of the home fans in Miami for the first time. He also said Mitchell’s speed jumped out to him, especially when Ryan Conwell came into the game and Mitchell went out.
Giannis said: “He’s incredible and he’s tough to keep up with. He goes so fast, you see the difference when Ryan comes into the game and Davion is out, your pace kind of slows down. Obviously Ryan is young and it’s his first year in the league but we have to keep on that pace, like that pace is dangerous.
“I love playing with him [Davion]…whenever I don’t touch the ball…he’s always going to check in with me and make sure I get a touch.”
Mitchell had praise ready for Antetokounmpo, too. Speaking at the team’s postgame press conference, he called him “the greatest player to play the game” and said he expects him to sort things out in Miami.
“For the most part, he’s the greatest player to play the game, so he’s really going to figure it out.”
Mitchell has been with the Heat since early 2025, after arriving in a trade with the Toronto Raptors. He’s quickly become a fan favorite and an important piece of Erik Spoelstra’s team.
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