Heat Beat Hawks 129-117 as Giannis Delivers 24 Points, 18 Boards

The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 129-117 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at State Farm Arena, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 18 rebounds. Miami built a 13-point halftime advantage and maintained its cushion after the break to secure its first victory of the season.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter: Heat Establish an Early Advantage

Miami outscored Atlanta 34-25 in the opening quarter, establishing a nine-point lead. The Heat’s productive start created an advantage that the Hawks could not erase over the remaining three periods.

Second Quarter: Miami Extends the Lead

The Heat added 35 points in the second quarter while Atlanta scored 31. That gave Miami a 69-56 halftime lead, with its 69 first-half points accounting for more than half of its eventual total.

Third Quarter: Hawks Make Limited Progress

Atlanta won the third quarter 29-28, but reduced its deficit by only one point. Miami entered the fourth ahead 97-85, still holding a double-digit advantage despite the Hawks’ improved scoring.

Fourth Quarter: Miami Preserves the Margin

Both teams scored 32 points in the final period, leaving the Heat’s 12-point advantage intact at the finish. Atlanta outscored Miami 61-60 after halftime, but its first-half deficit proved decisive.

Key Performers

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami: Led all scorers with 24 points and collected a game-high 18 rebounds. His double-double anchored a Heat team that finished with 52 rebounds.
• Davion Mitchell, Miami: Led the Heat with 10 assists, helping Miami record 36 assists on 51 made field goals.
• Kingston Flemings, Atlanta: Paced the Hawks with 23 points, finishing just one point behind Antetokounmpo for the game’s scoring lead.
• Jalen Johnson, Atlanta: Led Atlanta with nine rebounds and 11 assists, contributing across multiple categories as the Hawks finished with 35 assists.

NerdSports Stat: Miami outscored Atlanta 80-60 on two-point field goals—a 20-point advantage that more than offset the Hawks’ 15-point edge from made 3-pointers.

Game Analysis: Efficiency and Rebounding Separate Miami

Both teams attempted 96 field goals, but Miami converted 51 compared with Atlanta’s 46. The Heat shot 53.1% from the field, while the Hawks finished at 47.9%. That five-basket difference helped Miami prevail even though Atlanta made more 3-pointers.

The Hawks went 16-for-38 from beyond the arc, shooting 42.1%. Miami finished 11-for-29, or 37.9%. Atlanta’s perimeter production kept its offense productive, but Miami’s advantage on two-point attempts supplied a stronger overall scoring foundation.

Rebounding provided another clear difference. Miami finished ahead 52-40, with Antetokounmpo collecting more than a third of the Heat’s total. The available statistics do not separate offensive and defensive rebounds, but the overall margin underscores his contribution.

Miami also gained seven points at the free-throw line, making 16 of 23 attempts compared with Atlanta’s 9 of 14. Neither team reached 70% at the line, yet the Heat’s greater number of attempts added another source of separation.

Ball movement was a strength for both sides: Miami recorded 36 assists and Atlanta had 35. Ultimately, the Heat paired that passing production with better overall shooting and a first-half lead substantial enough to withstand an essentially even second half.

Closing Context: Heat Earn First Win

Miami improved to 1-4 overall and 1-1 on the road, while Atlanta fell to 2-3 and remained winless at home at 0-2. The Hawks next face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, October 29, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. The Heat return to action against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, October 30, at 5:00 p.m. PDT, looking to build on their first win.

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