Miami Heat's First Season Win Comes on Adebayo's Record-Breaking Night

MIAMI, Fla. – The Miami Heat’s first win of the 2026-27 NBA season came with Bam Adebayo breaking Udonis Haslem’s 14-year all-time franchise rebounding record in a 129-117 outing against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Wednesday night.

"Can't really put it into words," he said. "The person I'm passing has been so close to me throughout my 10 years in this career. I came into this league just wanting to make an impact and to pass some of the people that's been with me in this journey, I can't do anything but thank God."

Adebayo is currently up to 5,794 career rebounds. Given age and longevity, he has an opportunity to place the record at a difficult reaching scale.

After taking notice to all the critics, the three-time All-Star might have broken through with a silencing performance. Adebayo finished with 24 points on 50 percent shooting, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 33 minutes. The 29-year-old had struggled through the first four games of the season, logging two games of scoring less than double figures.

For the first time this season, Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo found a coexisting rhythm on the court. The former Finals MVP matched him with 24 points on 61.1 percent shooting, 18 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in 31 minutes.

After five games of starting Antetokounmpo’s Heat tenure, he has two double-doubles and a triple-double.

It was a well-balanced performance as seven players reached double figures in scoring.

Andrew Wiggins had the biggest impact among the supporting cast with 18 points on 66.7 percent shooting, two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 29 minutes. After a similar slow start to the season as Adebayo, the 31-year-old found an offensive rhythm throughout the night while impacting the defensive side of the court.

In the previous four games, the Heat were outrebounded, but with strong contributions from the lengthy star duo, they controlled the glass against the Hawks, 52-40, including 12 offensive rebounds. When Antetokounmpo and Adebayo were both active on the boards, it led to great results.

The Heat’s offense was flowing on all levels:

- Field Goals: 53.1 percent (51-of-96)

- Three-Pointers: 37.9 percent (11-of-29)

- Free Throws: 69.6 percent (16-of-23)

Head coach Erik Spoelstra went with a 10-man rotation, including Nikola Jovic, who played just seven minutes but made the most of the opportunity. Before halftime, he made a half-court shot.

The Heat’s bench combined for 50 points, including Tim Hardaway Jr. (14), Pelle Larsson (17), and Bobby Portis Jr. (11) reaching double figures. It's the kind of depth production that needs to be consistent.

"We are at our best when we have seven-eight guys scoring in double figures," Spoelstra said. "Obviously, Giannis will be scoring a lot of points for us, but other guys have to contribute."

It’s the kind of production that was projected before the season began.

The Heat still have a hurdle to climb, being three games under .500. Once that is successfully overcome, it can present a new mid-season start. The Heat return to South Florida to host the Indiana Pacers, who will be without All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, sidelined with a left hamstring strain.

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