In a thrilling showdown on Friday night, the Miami Heat triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 in overtime during a pivotal play-in game that saw both teams battling for a spot in the playoffs. The victory not only secured Miami's place in the postseason but also marked a historic moment as they became the first No. 10 seed in either conference to make the playoffs since the play-in format was introduced in the 2020-21 season.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Heat jumping to an early 10-0 lead, forcing the Hawks to call a timeout just 2:25 into the game. Miami's strong start was fueled by balanced scoring, as Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, Bam Adebayo, and Haywood Highsmith combined for 39 points in the first half alone. Despite their best efforts, the Hawks struggled to find their rhythm early on, trailing 33-24 at the end of the first quarter.
As the second quarter unfolded, Miami's lead swelled to 14 points at one stage, showcasing their dominance on the court. However, the Hawks began to claw their way back, thanks to a three-pointer from Caris LeVert, which narrowed the gap to 62-53 at halftime. The halftime entertainment featured a performance by Shamea Morton, a former Atlanta Hawks dancer, who debuted her new single, "Neva Had," captivating the audience during the break.
In the third quarter, the Hawks found their footing, scoring seven unanswered points to reduce the deficit to just three points. But Miami quickly retaliated with a 13-2 run, extending their lead once again. Kyle Anderson's contributions off the bench were crucial, as he sank two three-pointers despite heavy Hawks defense.
As the fourth quarter began, the tension in the arena was palpable. The Hawks finally took their first lead of the game at 91-90, courtesy of a three-pointer from Trae Young, who was determined to lead his team to victory. Young's relentless effort was evident as he dove for loose balls and rallied the crowd, who were on their feet, cheering him on.
But the Heat were not to be outdone. With just over three minutes remaining, Herro hit consecutive jump shots that put Miami back in front at 99-98. The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch, with Onyeka Okongwu scoring consecutive baskets to give Atlanta a brief 98-92 lead. However, Herro's clutch shooting proved decisive, and Miami regained control.
In a dramatic turn of events, with just 1.3 seconds left in regulation, Young managed to tie the game at 106 with a layup, sending the match into overtime. The excitement in the arena reached a fever pitch as fans anticipated the extra period.
Overtime was where Miami truly shined. Davion Mitchell, who had been relatively quiet in regulation with only seven points, exploded for three crucial three-pointers, showcasing his sharpshooting ability and sealing the deal for the Heat. His performance in the extra period was instrumental, as he helped Miami pull away, much to the delight of their traveling fans.
Tyler Herro finished the night with an impressive 30 points, including two critical three-pointers during overtime. "I know how badly our group wanted to get into this thing," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra after the game, reflecting on the team's determination to succeed.
For the Hawks, Trae Young led the charge with 29 points and 11 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu added a strong 28 points and 12 rebounds. Despite their valiant effort, Young expressed disappointment, stating, "Not making the playoffs is a failure to me." His competitive spirit has always been a driving force for the Hawks, and this game was no exception.
As the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard reflected Miami's hard-fought victory, but it also highlighted the resilience of the Hawks, who fought back from a significant deficit. With this win, Miami will now prepare to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Sunday night.
Looking ahead, Miami's achievement in the play-in tournament is a testament to their grit and determination. They have proven that they can compete with any team, no matter the odds. As Haywood Highsmith put it, "We can go anywhere and beat anybody." With their playoff journey just beginning, the Heat are ready to take on the challenge and make a deep run in the postseason.
