The Miami Heat finally found their way back into the win column Sunday night, ending a grueling 10-game losing streak with a 122-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. It was their first win since March 3 and only the second time this month they’ve avoided a loss, marking a critical turnaround in a season that had begun to spiral.
Leading the charge was newly acquired forward Andrew Wiggins, who delivered a spectacular performance with 42 points—the highest by any Heat player this season and the second-best scoring game of his career. Wiggins was nearly unstoppable, connecting on 16-of-21 from the field, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. He added five assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block in a dominant two-way showing. Tyler Herro, playing through a sore hip, contributed 29 points on efficient shooting, while Bam Adebayo chipped in 11 points and brought crucial defensive intensity.
For a team that had spent the last three weeks reeling from blown leads and lopsided losses, Sunday’s game finally flipped the script. After trailing by 12 midway through the second quarter, Miami closed the half on a commanding 28-6 run to take a 10-point lead into the break. That momentum carried into the third quarter, where the Heat extended their lead to 21 points behind a 66% shooting clip and suffocating defense that held Charlotte to just 49 points combined in the second and third quarters.
Wiggins’ offensive efficiency was on full display. According to NBA tracking stats, he set a new personal best with 13 made jumpers and was particularly effective from deep and midrange. The Heat outscored the Hornets by 50 points per 100 possessions when Wiggins was on the court, a testament to his impact on both ends.
The supporting cast also stepped up. A key lineup featuring Davion Mitchell, Haywood Highsmith, Herro, Wiggins, and Kel’el Ware turned the tide in the second quarter, sparking the run that reversed the game’s momentum. Mitchell and Highsmith combined for three steals and two blocks off the bench, while Herro praised the ball movement and shot selection that fueled the Heat’s best offensive half-court output in weeks.
Miami’s defense was equally effective, forcing 20 Charlotte turnovers and dominating transition opportunities. The Heat outscored the Hornets 21-14 on the break and held Charlotte to a 37th percentile offensive rating overall. LaMelo Ball finished with 18 points and 11 assists, and rookie Nick Smith Jr. added 19 for the Hornets, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention.
The win not only snapped the Heat’s longest losing streak since 2008 but also came at a crucial moment in their playoff push. Miami remains in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, a game behind Chicago and three games back of Orlando with just 11 games remaining. If the standings hold, Miami would need to win two straight road games in the play-in tournament just to secure the eighth seed.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra expressed relief and pride in the team’s perseverance. “I’m not going to ever take it for granted,” he said. “There’s been a lot of down days, and to see us have a breakthrough, I’m proud of this team for not letting go of the rope.”
Wiggins, who has now scored at least 20 points in seven of his first 13 games with Miami, continues to thrive in his expanded role since arriving from Golden State. “We all played connected,” he said. “My team helped me get in great spots to be successful and make some shots.”
While the return of Jimmy Butler on Tuesday against Golden State will dominate headlines, Sunday’s win offers a glimmer of hope for a Heat team that’s shown glimpses of its identity—at last combining timely shot-making, unselfish offense, and relentless defense in a complete performance. With the losing streak now behind them, Miami looks to build on this win and salvage momentum as the postseason approaches.
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