We’re a quarter of the way through the Miami Heat’s 2025-26 campaign, and despite a challenging start to the season - both in terms of schedule and injuries - Miami has found a way to stay firmly in the mix near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
At 13-7, the Heat have weathered a storm of early-season adversity. Tyler Herro has missed 17 games, Bam Adebayo sat out six, and Norman Powell missed four.
That’s a big chunk of offensive firepower and defensive intensity sidelined. Yet here they are, sitting alone in the No. 4 spot in the East, just three games behind the first-place Detroit Pistons.
They’ve created a bit of breathing room too, holding a half-game lead over Atlanta and trailing Orlando by just one game.
Considering the circumstances, that’s not just resilience - that’s a team with depth, identity, and a coach who knows how to adjust on the fly.
And the rest of the league is starting to take notice.
Power Rankings Check-In
Let’s take a look at where some of the major outlets have Miami slotted heading into December - and what they’re seeing from this group.
NBC Sports - No. 8
Kel’el Ware’s growth has been one of the most intriguing developments in Miami’s early season. After a slow start - averaging just under 10 points and 8 boards on 48.7% shooting through his first 10 games - the second-year big has turned a corner.
Over his last 10 outings, he’s putting up 15 points per game while pulling down a dominant 13.7 rebounds and shooting a crisp 57.1% from the field. That kind of presence on the glass has given Miami a new interior edge, especially when paired with Bam Adebayo.
The big question, of course, is whether Ware and Bam can coexist in high-leverage moments. Does the spacing get too tight?
Can they both be effective in closing lineups or playoff crunch time? Erik Spoelstra has time to figure that out, and if anyone can make it work, it’s him.
Also worth noting: the Heat punched their ticket to the NBA Cup quarterfinals as a wild card and will face Orlando on December 9. Another opportunity to test themselves against a rising Eastern Conference rival.
The Athletic - No. 8
Norman Powell has been a revelation. For those who thought his production in L.A. was a byproduct of playing alongside stars, he’s proving he can carry a scoring load on his own.
Powell is averaging a career-high 24.7 points per game and attacking the rim with purpose, getting to the line 6.4 times a night. His outside shooting has been lethal - he’s hitting 44.4% from deep on nearly seven attempts per game.
Now, with Tyler Herro back in the mix, the rotation has shifted. Herro slides into the starting shooting guard spot, while Davion Mitchell remains the point guard.
That bumps Powell to the three and Andrew Wiggins to the four. It’s a lineup that brings versatility, scoring, and switchability - but it also puts Powell in a new role.
Can he keep up this production while sharing the floor with another high-usage guard? That’s the next test.
NBA.com - No. 12
Herro wasted no time making an impact in his season debut last week, dropping 24 points and sealing the win over Dallas with a clutch go-ahead bucket in the final minute. That capped off a six-game win streak for Miami, which was snapped by Detroit over the weekend.
One stat that jumps out: Miami is 3-0 in the second games of back-to-backs - one of just three teams in the league still unbeaten in that scenario (along with the Spurs and Rockets). That speaks to this team’s conditioning, depth, and ability to lock in even when the legs are heavy. They’ll face another test this weekend with a road-home back-to-back, including a matchup against the Kings where they’ll be at a rest disadvantage.
The Bigger Picture
Miami currently holds the NBA’s seventh-best NET Rating - with the 13th-ranked offense and the third-ranked defense. That’s a strong indicator of how balanced this team is. They’re not just surviving on one end of the floor; they’re getting it done on both.
And while some outlets have them just inside the top 10, there’s a case to be made for an even higher spot. They’ve battled through injuries, leaned on different contributors, and still come out ahead more often than not. That’s the kind of team that tends to rise as the season wears on.
With Herro back, Powell thriving, Ware ascending, and Bam anchoring the defense, the Heat have the pieces. Now it’s about finding the right combinations, building chemistry, and staying healthy.
One thing’s clear: this team isn’t just surviving the early stretch - they’re setting themselves up for a serious run.