Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves spoil Giannis’ home debut with Heat

As far as debuts go, in this one with the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokounmpo was exceptional.

He set the record for most points during a debut in franchise history with 35 – a mark previously held by LeBron James.

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He set the tone with a 21-point first half on a barrage of downhill drives and finishes at the rim, giving the Heat a legitimate Most Valuable Player candidate they haven’t had since James was on the roster. He played with pace and was practically impossible to guard in transition and in the paint, where he scored a game-high 24 points.

Yet – and it’s essential to point out here that it’s merely one game and that it was always going to take some time for this group to find its potential – the Heat will be in trouble if they cannot do these two things.

Miami bricked 3-pointer after 3-pointer on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in the 131-106 beating it caught in their much-anticipated season opener, which is concerning because this was precisely the weak spot the team was facing headed into the season. The Heat also got torched on defense, especially along the perimeter, which fed into the offensive struggles.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball debut as Heat and T-wolves collide

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball debut as Heat and T-wolves collide

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball debut as Heat and T-wolves collide

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) jump ball during the first quarter at Kaseya Center.

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball debut as Heat and T-wolves collide

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts after scoring against the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center.

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

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Giannis Antetokounmpo and LaMelo Ball debut as Heat and T-wolves collide

Minnesota Timberwolves guard LaMelo Ball (1) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (2) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center.

(Sam Navarro, Imagn Images)

Miami traded away much of its young core and had to scramble…

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Publish date : 2026-10-22 05:06:00

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