Heat Rest Six Regulars, Bench Takes Wolves To The Wire

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 11

Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson all sat out for rest on October 10, and Miami's reserves still pushed Minnesota to a one-point finish, 124-125. The next test comes October 14 against the Nets, with the regular-season opener against these same Timberwolves set for October 21.

Heat Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Rest, Not Record

The six regulars missing from the October 10 box score sat out for rest, not injury, with the opener not until October 21. In their place, Ryan Conwell scored 22 points with nine assists and Vladislav Goldin added 18, and the reserve-heavy lineup trailed by 14 points before clawing back to a 124-123 lead with 14 seconds left.

Minnesota Answers Late

Antonio Reeves scored on a driving jumper with two seconds left to put Minnesota back ahead, and Ryan Conwell's 26-foot look at the horn missed. Miami sits 2-1 in exhibition play, a number that means nothing — the record stays 0-0.

Nets Up Next

The Heat get one more look before real competition: the Nets visit October 14, then Miami plays at Orlando on October 16. The regular-season opener is a rematch with Minnesota, October 21 on ESPN.

The Number

Simone Fontecchio is shooting 70.8 percent true shooting over his last 10 games, a small sample from a reserve forward who needs that kind of efficiency to hold a rotation spot once games start counting.

Bottom Line

Six regulars sitting out this deep into preseason is a signal, not a scare. The real measure starts October 21, when rest is no longer an option against Minnesota.

Why did Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo not play against Minnesota?

Miami held both out for rest on October 10, along with Andrew Wiggins, Klay Thompson, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson, keeping all six out of the preseason loss to Minnesota.

When does the Heat regular season start?

Miami opens the 2026-27 season on October 21 at home against Minnesota, a rematch of the preseason game they just lost 124-125.