The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 129-117 on Wednesday night, marking Miami’s first victory of the season after starting 0-4. Bam Adebayo became the franchise’s career leader in rebounds during the win, while Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 24 points and 18 rebounds in his first win with the team, ESPN reported.
Adebayo breaks Udonis Haslem rebound record
Bam Adebayo now holds the record for the most career rebounds in Miami Heat history. He surpassed former captain Udonis Haslem, who recorded 5,791 rebounds over a 20-season career.
Adebayo has held a close relationship with Haslem since entering the league. In a televised postgame interview, Adebayo said the person he passed has been close to him throughout his 10-year career. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described the achievement as well-deserved, noting Adebayo’s “iron will” and unmatched work ethic in traffic.
Bam Adebayo (5,791) has TIED Udonis Haslem as the Miami HEAT’s all-time rebounding leader
Did you know? Adebayo is currently No. 2 on Miami’s all-time scoring list behind Dwyane Wade, and ranks No. 3 in both assists and steals for the franchise.
Antetokounmpo leads Heat offense in first win
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 18 rebounds helped Miami overcome a four-game losing streak following his offseason acquisition from Milwaukee. ESPN reports that Antetokounmpo has now scored 138 points in his first five games with the Heat, the most by any player in the franchise’s history over that span.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made his presence FELT in the paint vs. the Hawks!💪 24 PTS💪 18 REB💪 @MiamiHEAT W pic.twitter.com/aAFdwYv6jx
The victory marked Antetokounmpo’s 118th career game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, the third-most in the NBA since his debut in 2013. Supporting the effort, Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points, and Pelle Larsson contributed 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds.
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 24 | 18 | ESPN |
| Andrew Wiggins | 18 | — | ESPN |
Miami dominates paint and first quarter
The Heat established early control by shooting 65% from the field in the first quarter, making 15 of 23 shots to lead 34-25. Miami maintained a lead throughout the first half, entering the break up 69-56. The team finished the game with 70 points in the paint and a total field goal percentage of 53%, per ESPN.
🏀 WEDNESDAY'S FINAL SCORES 🏀Giannis Antetokounmpo pulls down a season-high 18 REB and snags his 1,000th career STL in the first win of the season for the @MiamiHEAT!Bam Adebayo: 24 PTS, 9 REB, 3 STL Andrew Wiggins: 18 PTS, 4 3PM, 2 BLKDavion Mitchell: 10 PTS, 10 AST, 2… pic.twitter.com/pvkv8sqmpX
Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, including a third-quarter 3-pointer that pushed Miami’s lead to 95-77, the largest margin of the game.
Spoelstra addresses 0-4 season start
Coach Erik Spoelstra noted that the team handled the adversity of their winless start appropriately. He stated that no players were “hanging their heads” and that the team focused on finding solutions to improve rather than losing their spirit.
Spoelstra emphasized that while the win is a positive step, it is not the ultimate goal. He told ESPN that the team is attempting to build something larger than a single victory.
Miami Heat Performance FAQ
Who held the Heat rebound record before Bam Adebayo?
Udonis Haslem held the record since November 2012, finishing his career with 5,791 rebounds.
We have a NEW rebounding king 👑Bam Adebayo (5,792) has officially passed Udonis Haslem for the most rebounds in Miami HEAT history 💪 pic.twitter.com/E79aYhD9fI
How many points did the Heat score in the paint against Atlanta?
Miami recorded 70 points in the paint during their 129-117 victory.
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s scoring record for a Heat debut?
Antetokounmpo has the most points by any Heat player in their first five games with the franchise, totaling 138 points.
“I came into this league just wanting to make an impact, leave a mark,” Adebayo said. “And to pass some of the people who have been with me on this journey, can’t do anything but thank God but also appreciate the people that have been around me.”
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