The Miami Heat are traveling to the Big Apple on Friday for an Emirates NBA Cup matchup versus the New York Knicks. The Heat and Knicks are in the same East Group C for placement in the upcoming In-Season Tournament. Miami currently leads those group standings as the number one seed with a 1-0 record 126 total points (+18 point differential).
Outside of just the NBA Cup, this is an important game for both teams. The Knicks are ahead of Miami by just .5 games in the Eastern Conference standings. The Heat are also searching for a bounce back win following their late-game collapse versus the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers in their previous outing.
Similar to that Cavs game where Donovan Mitchell was sidelined, New York will be without their superstar player as well tonight. Jalen Brunson is listed as out due to an ankle injury. Although each of Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro traveled to New York with the team, they both remain out as well. The Heat already secured a win against the Knicks a few weeks back and are 1-0 versus them on the season.
Miami’s leading scorer Norman Powell will continue to get the green light as the focal point of coach Erik Spoelstra’s offense. However, Jaime Jaquez Jr.— who has had a terrific start to the 2025-26 season— is looking to respond after a rare rough outing offensively. The Heat will need somebody to step up and help shoulder the loud offensively to supplement Powell’s near-25 points per game average.
Tonight’s game will be nationally aired on Amazon Prime Video, and be the first nationally televised game featuring the Heat this year.
Injury Report (at the time of this publishing):
Miami Heat:
- Tyler Herro (ankle) — OUT
- Bam Adebayo (toe) — OUT
- Terry Rozier (not with team) — OUT
- Myron Gardner (g-league) — OUT
- Jahmir Young (g-league) — OUT
New York Knicks:
- Jalen Brunson (ankle) — OUT
Projected Starting 5 (subject to change):
Miami Heat:
- Davion Mitchell, G
- Norman Powell, G
- Pelle Larsson, G/F
- Andrew Wiggins, F
- Kel’el Ware, C
New York Knicks:
- Miles McBride, G
- Mikal Bridges, G
- OG Anunoby, F
- Karl-Anthony Towns, F
- Mitchell Robinson, C
Broadcast Info:
- Tipoff: 7:00 PM EST
- TV: Amazon Prime Video
- Radio: AM 560 Sports WQAM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson)
- Spanish Radio: WAQI 710 AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda)
Come back to Hot Hot Hoops at game time to join our GameThread and chat about the game live with other Heat fans!
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