The wait is finally over. Miami Heat basketball is officially back!
After an offseason filled with blockbuster moves, high expectations and plenty of excitement, the Miami Heat begin their 2026-27 NBA season tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Kaseya Center.
And all eyes will be on Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time NBA MVP will make his official regular-season debut in a Heat uniform, joining Bam Adebayo to form one of the league’s most formidable frontcourt combinations. Alongside Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell, Miami enters the new season with a dramatically different roster and renewed championship aspirations.
Tonight’s matchup also features a Timberwolves team that underwent significant changes of its own, most notably the addition of LaMelo Ball alongside superstar Anthony Edwards. Minnesota remains a dangerous opponent, with Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense and plenty of athleticism throughout its rotation.
The teams met earlier this month during the preseason, with Minnesota escaping Kaseya Center with a 125-124 victory. But that matchup featured mostly reserves, making tonight the first meaningful opportunity to see how these revamped rosters stack up against one another.
For Erik Spoelstra, the challenge will be establishing chemistry while implementing an up-tempo offensive approach built around Miami’s improved athleticism and versatility.
It’s a fresh start, a new era and the beginning of what promises to be one of the most anticipated Heat seasons in recent memory.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
Miami Heat
- Davion Mitchell, PG
- Klay Thompson, SG
- Andrew Wiggins, SF
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF
- Bam Adebayo, C
Minnesota Timberwolves
- LaMelo Ball, PG
- Anthony Edwards, SG
- Jaden McDaniels, SF
- Jonathan Kuminga, PF
- Rudy Gobert, C
INJURY REPORT / PLAYER AVAILABILITY
Miami Heat
- Vladislav Goldin — QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
- Bam Adebayo — AVAILABLE (groin)
- Dru Smith — AVAILABLE (calf)
- Pelle Larsson — AVAILABLE (illness)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo — AVAILABLE
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Donte DiVincenzo — OUT (Achilles)
GAME INFO
Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves (0-0) at Miami Heat (0-0)
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida
TV: ESPN / ESPN Deportes
Radio: 104.3 FM / 560 AM (South Florida)
The preseason is behind us. The expectations are high. And tonight, the Giannis era officially begins in Miami.
Let’s go HEAT!
***
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We have back to back Friday and Saturday. Obviously have to be a lot better than tonight.
wizards beat miami heat north 128 116 theyre #1 pick didnt even play thats a sneaky good team the generals
Expecting a win. A loss on a close game is ok. But this is embarassing for me on our homecourt. But need to calm down it’s just the first game.
minn top 4 team in nba imo
pelle niko thjr getting heavy minutes not a winning formula imo.not be able to resign norman really sukd.hes a certified bucket getter
Or someone else with a similar skillset. We shouldn’t over react, but many pointed out that possible weakness going into the season. We will just have to wait until more data comes in to know if it turns out to be an area of need.
what do u think your a sports guy are dav dru pelle klay good enough to compete with other champ team bcs NO
butler still out good what he did to us bad karma for him
at leasti didnt have to listen to doris burke only good thing about tonights game
It’s one game. Counts as one loss. Not a good second half effort for sure. Next!
u can see that athleticism is gonna be a problem against teams like minn spurs okc .against teams with 4 hofers (phil) we just dont have the overall talent.
i still think with greek we can win around 50.but against a team like phily minn spurs okc we dont match up with those guys.we have a bc of dav pelle klay dru enough said
So much for your “we have to get 20 games in to know”. 20 turned into 1. Okay.
Can’t tell anything from preseason. And it’s hard to know how well the players we brought in to round out the roster will fit in or contribute.
It’s a bad loss, but just one. I’m going to wait four more games to make any judgements.
hes back niko lol 2qbn rooting so hard for his mip
ant man straight from stockholm?
u got a top 5 -7 shooter all time play him spobot,hardaways not a top 100 shooter all time
klay needs to play more he hardly played
Was abt to list some complaints but read hfl’s and I think he’s got quota already for everyone haha
greek suks 2 lol
best so fla team canes?panthers?
Bam’s effort was awful tonight. Just very little hustle. Gave up a ton of rebounds.
He may like the added pressure of expectations, but won’t last long if they play like they have this second half often.
100% agree .maybe ajas wearing him out
Forgettable first game. Its ok if its a close loss. Hope doesn’t make Giannis think ‘do I have to do everything again?’
A possible, albeit, way too early, concern. I have to admit that I was thinking about that also. It’s just a first game, but Giannis had to shoulder a lot of the load. Hopefully, it won’t become a pattern.
Pistons are gonna bop them next game
nah minn better than det det has cade and no other scoring
pelle is from sweden gimme the bros any day
Good to see the racism back on game 1
its true rc not racist true
face the truth whats your problem.racism is when u dont like a certain group of people sir.
I’m not the one with a problem.
Your opinion. My opinion.
how many white cbs in nfl white running backs ?
Sorry, I was watching basketball, bad basketball, but not football. Maybe your antenna is on the fritz.
Aren’t we used to knee-jerk reactions yet?
Yes, totally expected.
Well this is ugly.
greek best player in nba bam prob top 30 after that big drop off
bc needs help zac fc is ok like to see richards in there were losing lots rebounds
sms post game wrap to follow.all to look forward to.
take greek out games over
ouch dirty play greek
jovic back not so fast here 2qbn mip lol
terrible offense here dav4 secsleft gotta put it up my man.get kyrie pat
where the f is klay he can get hot
Might as well save Giannis and Bam, and put the scrubs in at this point.
there are some scrubs out there now lol
wow we look old put gard in let him rough it up
no taunting rule in nba .
Turd appearing in game one
We aren’t playing well this quarter. And what someone said about Hardaway is true tonight, he can get very cold from three.
daddy way better than son.didnt like the signing average player whole career
cats look bad tonight that goalie suks 30
Yes, the better team tonight in both games is not from South Florida.
wheres markstrom he hurt
Yes. But, it wasn’t the backups fault. Some teams are just as good if not better than us without Barky and March.
oh he gave up some softies i was watching cats game also
this is a very good team dont think were at that level.bc just not good enough
niko that over dribbling never works
Yes, but that was his first overreach. So far, he’s playing within himself mostly.
Some things are showing up tonight that were a concern going in. The biggest, not enough from our guards (like you said). We likely need to replace Powell, need more scoring and playmaking. Also, cold from three with several guys who we knew could shoot low percentages some games.
It’s just a first game so can’t over react, but some things to watch for.
Portis getting cooked, deep fried
Another offensive rebound. Can’t just give away possessions, epically when you can’t buy a three pointer.
rudy pushed off their
pelle comeon u got paid now
New extension kicks in next year. He’s still on rookie contract. He’s making $2.3M this year. Wait until next year to say he’s ovberpaid.
greek airball wow
rc u there?your very quiet tonight.30 man ?
Yup. Just following your complaining.
great move bam
as ive said bc needs help.pat knows that
Used up all our three pointers in the pre season…
antman unguardable
f these interviews how annoying espn u aholes
A come from behind win sounds good eh?
espn u get that manila?
+5 on offensive rebounds and +9 on three pointers made.
I can understand the 3 pointers, but Miami needs to rebound better.
Now that it’s getting away from Miami a bit can we have Bam give Lamelo a little pay back at least?
bam likes cheap shotting knicks it seems
no taunting in nba like nfl stfu ant your a great player but a meat head
nice d wigg
why sched minn as first game adam what were u thinking how bout orlando
LaMelo as a facilitator unleashes his potential rather than being the number one option in Charlotte. I don’t know how the Heat can slow them down in the second half
cant stop ant let melo shoot it hes so sporadic
kenny chuck shaq ernie best studio show any sport
Close game. 3 pt shooting makes the difference so far
seemed like it scoreboard says minus 10