Miami Heat Earn First Win of the Season as Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads 129-117 Victory Over Hawks

Miami Heat End Three Game Losing Streak to Start the Season

The Miami Heat finally have their first victory of the season, and Giannis Antetokounmpo helped deliver it in impressive fashion. Antetokounmpo recorded 24 points and 18 rebounds in his first win with Miami, leading the Heat to a 129-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night. Bam Adebayo also scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Miami, which snapped a four-game losing streak to open the season after acquiring Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason.

Andrew Wiggins added 18 points, while Pelle Larsson contributed 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds as the Heat produced one of their most complete offensive performances of the young season. Miami shot 53% from the field and dominated inside, scoring a whopping 70 points in the paint to overwhelm Atlanta and secure its first victory.

Heat Dominate Inside to Secure First Victory

The Heat established control early, making 15 of 23 shots in the opening quarter to shoot 65% from the field and take a 34-25 lead. Miami maintained its offensive rhythm throughout the first half, carrying a 69-56 advantage into the locker room. The Heat continued to build their lead after halftime, using their size, interior scoring and balanced offensive attack to keep Atlanta on its heels. Miami eventually took its largest lead of the night late in the third quarter when Tim Hardaway Jr. connected on a 3-pointer to make it 95-77.

Hardaway finished with 14 points off the bench, providing another important scoring contribution as Miami maintained control down the stretch. Antetokounmpo’s combination of scoring and rebounding gave the Heat a significant presence around the basket, while Adebayo complemented the Milwaukee acquisition with an equally productive offensive performance. Miami’s ability to attack the paint consistently proved to be a decisive factor in ending its early-season skid.

Bam Adebayo Makes Heat Rebounding History

Adebayo’s performance carried additional significance beyond his 24 points and nine rebounds. The Miami big man passed franchise legend Udonis Haslem to become the Heat’s all time career leader in rebounds, adding another milestone to his tenure with the organization. Adebayo’s achievement highlighted his continued importance to the franchise as Miami begins a new chapter with Antetokounmpo leading the way.

Wiggins and Larsson also played key roles in the victory. Wiggins supplied 18 points, while Larsson’s 17 points and eight assists helped Miami maintain its offensive flow and capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Heat’s balanced attack made it difficult for Atlanta to find answers, particularly with Miami consistently generating high percentage looks near the basket.

Hawks Struggle Despite Strong Performances From Flemings and Alexander-Walker

Rookie Kingston Flemings and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 23 points to lead Atlanta, but their efforts were not enough to prevent the Hawks from suffering their third consecutive defeat. Atlanta opened the season with two straight victories but has since struggled to regain its early momentum. The Hawks had difficulty containing Miami’s interior attack and fell behind early, forcing them to spend much of the night trying to close the gap.

Jalen Johnson endured a difficult shooting performance, finishing with 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. He shot just 4 of 12 from the field as Miami limited his scoring efficiency. The Hawks were playing the first game of a home back-to-back. Their schedule also included a matchup against Cleveland on Thursday, with the start time pushed back an hour to accommodate Game 6 of the WNBA Finals between Atlanta and Golden State at State Farm Arena during the afternoon.

Up Coming NBA Games for the Heat and Hawks

Miami will look to build on its breakthrough victory when it hosts the Indiana Pacers on Friday. After opening the season with four consecutive losses, the Heat will aim to establish consistency behind Antetokounmpo and Adebayo as the team continues adjusting to its new-look lineup. Atlanta, meanwhile, will attempt to stop its three game losing streak when it hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday.

The Hawks will need a stronger overall shooting performance and improved defensive execution to get back on track. For Miami, Wednesday’s 129-117 win provided an encouraging sign of what its offense can accomplish with Antetokounmpo and Adebayo leading the way. The Heat finally have their first victory of the season, and they will look to turn that momentum into a sustained run of success.