Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads Miami Heat to First NBA Win of the Season

Posted : 29 October 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 24 points and 18 rebounds to inspire the Miami Heat to a 129-117 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, securing the franchise's first win of the 2026-27 NBA season after four consecutive defeats.

The Greek superstar delivered an impressive performance in his first victory since joining Miami from the Milwaukee Bucks during the offseason. His contribution helped the Heat overcome their difficult start and gain confidence as they continue adjusting to their new-look roster.

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra praised his players for remaining united despite the early-season struggles. He said the team had responded positively to adversity, with players maintaining their determination and working together to identify areas for improvement.

Spoelstra stressed that the victory was only the beginning of a much larger challenge, with the Heat focused on building consistency throughout the long NBA campaign.

Antetokounmpo's performance was matched by Bam Adebayo, who also scored 24 points and collected nine rebounds. Adebayo made history by surpassing Udonis Haslem to become Miami's all-time leading rebounder, taking his career total to 5,794 and moving beyond Haslem's previous mark of 5,791.

The achievement was an emotional moment for Adebayo, who shared a close relationship with Haslem during his time with the Heat. The veteran forward served as Miami's longtime captain before retiring, with Adebayo subsequently taking over the leadership role.

Andrew Wiggins contributed 18 points, while Pelle Larsson added 17 as Miami produced a balanced offensive display. Davion Mitchell recorded 10 points and 10 assists, helping the visitors move the ball effectively and create scoring opportunities.

The Heat made an impressive start, taking a 34-25 lead after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 69-56 at halftime. Their dominance inside the paint proved particularly important, as Miami scored 70 points in that area compared with Atlanta's 52.

The Hawks attempted to fight back after falling behind by as many as 18 points. Rookie Kingston Flemings and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each finished with 23 points, but Miami responded to Atlanta's late push and closed out the contest with an 11-5 run.

The defeat marked Atlanta's third consecutive loss after opening the campaign with two victories. The Hawks will look to halt their slide when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Miami return home to host the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

For the Heat, the victory offers an encouraging starting point as Antetokounmpo continues to settle into his new surroundings. His partnership with Adebayo could prove central to Miami's ambitions this season, particularly after the pair combined for 48 points and 27 rebounds against Atlanta.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Leads Miami Heat to First NBA Win of the Season

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