Heat start Giannis era 0-2 despite his record-setting debut
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
The Miami Heat lost their first two games, falling 131-106 to Minnesota and 128-111 to Detroit.
Antetokounmpo's scoring has not yet translated into wins for the rebuilt roster.
Background
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and NBA champion, joined the Heat from the Milwaukee Bucks in an offseason trade that also brought Bobby Portis to Miami and sent Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakucionis to Milwaukee; Miami also signed Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. The Heat finished 2025-26 at 43-39, 10th in the East, and lost in the play-in tournament (a pre-playoff elimination round) to the Hornets. A little over a year ago Miami adopted a faster-paced style with less screening, more isolation and quicker shots, which sources say suits Antetokounmpo.
How it unfolded
- Oct 3, 2026The Heat beat the Toronto Raptors 129-105 in a preseason game in Quebec City, Canada, with Antetokounmpo playing.
- Oct 17, 2026Miami released four players and finalized its roster ahead of opening night.
- Oct 20, 2026The Heat released their first injury report ahead of the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- Oct 21, 2026Miami lost its opener 131-106 to Minnesota at Kaseya Center; Antetokounmpo scored a franchise-record 35 points in a regular-season debut, while Anthony Edwards scored 45.
- Oct 23, 2026The Heat lost 128-111 to the Detroit Pistons at home, falling to 0-2 for the first time since the 2022-23 season; Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block in 33 minutes.
- Oct 24, 2026Miami was scheduled to play the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte at 6 p.m., 22 hours after the previous game's start, in the first of 13 back-to-back sets this season.
Who’s saying what
- Player
- Antetokounmpo said he feels good when the team plays well, with rhythm and pace, and wins games.
- Coach
- Head coach Erik Spoelstra said winning requires another effort, another help, a kickout and another closeout to 26 feet, and that it never stops.
Still unverified
CBS Sports' Sam Quinn predicted the Heat could trade for Jrue Holiday, who is on a $134 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers; this is a prediction, not a reported deal. Reports that Miami could target waived players Walter Clayton Jr., Kevin Porter Jr. and Dalton Knecht were framed as potential interest, not a reported signing.