The Giannis Antetokounmpo chapter with the Miami Heat has commenced with a defeat.
In his debut game with his new squad after being traded from the Bucks during the offseason, Antetokounmpo and the Heat kicked off the season with a significant 131-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Miami’s issue in the defeat didn’t stem from its new forward. He concluded with a team-leading 35 points, six rebounds, and an assist.
The real concern was the lackluster backcourt defense. The Heat struggled to contain Anthony Edwards, who scored 45 points, and his fellow guard, LaMelo Ball, who recorded 21.
Edwards made NBA history during the impressive win. He became just the third player in league history to achieve multiple 40-point games in season openers, joining Wilt Chamberlain (4) and Michael Jordan (3). Edwards had also tallied 41 points in Minnesota’s season-opening victory against the Portland Trail Blazers last year.
Edwards and Ball excelled from long range, making 14 of 30 combined attempts, whereas Miami managed only 8 of 33 as a collective. Edwards’ nine three-pointers established a franchise record for Minnesota during a season opener.
Antetokounmpo somehow navigated from half court to a dunk without the ball ever hitting the ground.
Antetokounmpo made sure to display his dribbling skills against Rudy Gobert.
Despite Antetokounmpo’s height advantage over Edwards, the two engaged in an entertaining sequence during the second quarter: the guard sank a three-pointer, and the Heat forward responded with an impressive dunk, complete with some playful banter.
Both Antetokounmpo and Edwards recorded 21 points in the first half.
Edwards spent a considerable portion of the game expressing his confidence to the Heat, and he validated his words with his on-court performance.
Antetokounmpo began his professional journey with the Milwaukee Bucks, who selected him as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Following 13 seasons in Milwaukee, which included winning an NBA championship in 2021, the two-time MVP had differing views with the Bucks regarding his future and subsequently requested a trade.
This past summer, Antetokounmpo finally secured the trade he sought, as the Milwaukee Bucks traded him and Bobby Portis to Miami in exchange for Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kasparas Jakučionis, and five future draft picks.
The Heat will be back in action on Friday, aiming to secure their first victory of the season against the Detroit Pistons.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves will remain in Florida for a matchup against the Orlando Magic on Friday.
