Heat guard Davion Mitchell posts double-double in season-opening loss
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The gist
Heat guard Davion Mitchell scored 11 points with 11 assists in a 131-106 loss to Minnesota.
He is playing for a contract, and Miami's point-guard depth behind him is thin.
Background
Davion Mitchell is a Miami Heat guard, No. 2, nicknamed "Off Night." The Heat opened the 2026-27 season after a busy offseason that added Giannis Antetokounmpo, following a 43-39 record last season. Mitchell is in a contract year, and NBC Sports said Miami lacks depth at point guard, with Pelle Larsson taking on playmaking duties when Mitchell sits.
How it unfolded
- Oct 8, 2026Mitchell played for the Heat in a preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Kaseya Center in Miami.
- Oct 19, 2026A report said Mitchell is playing for a contract this season.
- Oct 20, 2026Ahead of the opener, Mitchell said the Heat are not helping enough on defense.
- Oct 21, 2026In the season opener in Miami, Mitchell scored 11 points with 11 assists and a block in 33 minutes in a 131-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Oct 22, 2026After the opening loss, the Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo vowed a better performance against the Detroit Pistons.
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- Mitchell said the Heat defend well individually in practice but do not help each other enough in games, calling it a team game for a reason.
- Analysts
- Ethan J. Skolnick of OnSI said Mitchell is playing for a contract this season.
- Party
- Bam Adebayo said Miami needed to pursue the league's best defense through participation across the roster.
Still unverified
Sources disagree on Mitchell's assist total: FantasyPros, Rotowire and CBS Sports say 11 assists, while NBC Sports says 10 assists and a game-high.