Andrew Wiggins stepped up in the clutch, drilling a go-ahead three with 31 seconds left to lift the Miami Heat to a hard-fought 122-120 win over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. It was a gritty, high-octane battle, and Wiggins’ shot was the final punch in a game full of them.
But the real engine behind Miami’s win? Bam Adebayo.
The All-Star big man delivered one of the most complete performances of his career, pouring in 30 points and knocking down a career-high six three-pointers. Yes, six.
For a player known more for his interior presence and defensive versatility, this kind of shooting display adds a whole new layer to his game - and to Miami’s offense.
The Heat got key contributions across the board. Norman Powell chipped in 19 points, playing with his usual blend of physicality and shot-making. Pelle Larsson added 16, while Simone Fontecchio and Myron Gardner combined for 24 off the bench, giving Miami the kind of depth scoring that can swing close games - especially when key players are sidelined.
And Miami was shorthanded. Tyler Herro missed the game with a sore toe and bruised rib, Davion Mitchell sat out with a shoulder injury, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. was out with a sprained knee. That’s a lot of offensive firepower and perimeter defense unavailable - but Miami still found a way.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued to do Shai Gilgeous-Alexander things. The Thunder star dropped 39 points, slicing through defenders and hitting tough shots like he was in the gym alone.
It marked his 113th straight regular-season game with at least 20 points - putting him just 13 games shy of Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record. That’s rarefied air, and Shai’s not just chasing it - he’s doing it with style.
Saturday was the 77th time during that streak he’s scored 30 or more.
Oklahoma City, now 35-8, got 18 points from Aaron Wiggins, 15 from rookie Ajay Mitchell, and 14 from Chet Holmgren, who continues to show flashes of his two-way potential. But they were dealt a blow in the second quarter when Jalen Williams exited with what the team called right thigh soreness.
Williams was grabbing at his hamstring as he limped off, and he’ll be evaluated Sunday. His absence was felt, especially late.
The Thunder had their chances. After Wiggins’ late triple, they ran a lob play for Holmgren that didn’t connect.
Miami secured the rebound, but the Thunder forced a stop and called timeout with 3.0 seconds left. On the final play, Alex Caruso inbounded to Gilgeous-Alexander, who quickly passed it back.
Caruso got a clean look from deep, but the shot clanged off the backboard and rim as time expired.
It was the first time all season Oklahoma City lost a game in which they scored 120 or more points. They entered the night 24-0 in those situations - a testament to how efficient their offense has been.
But Miami flipped the math with sheer volume: the Heat took 111 shots compared to the Thunder’s 77. That kind of disparity is hard to overcome, even for a team as explosive as OKC.
This was a statement win for Miami - short-handed, up against the league’s best, and still finding a way. For Oklahoma City, it’s a rare stumble in an otherwise dominant season.
But these are the kinds of games that sharpen contenders. And if we’re lucky, we might just see these two teams go at it again when the stakes are even higher.