Adebayo's Groin Decides How Heat Open Wednesday

By the Heat Nightly Desk · Monday, October 19

Bam Adebayo is listed with a groin issue and an estimated return of October 21, the night of the opener. Miami has finished its cuts and has no more time for preseason excuses.

Heat Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Adebayo's Status

Adebayo carries a groin issue into opening week, with an estimated return of October 21. An estimate is not a clearance. The Miami Herald reported that he and Giannis Antetokounmpo both sat out the preseason finale, a 115-136 loss at Orlando. Antetokounmpo has since been cleared. Adebayo has not.

Opening Week

Minnesota visits Wednesday on ESPN. Then come the Pistons on October 23, a trip to Charlotte on October 24 and the Mavericks on October 26 on NBA TV. That is three games this week with one back-to-back. Pelle Larsson, out with an illness, and Dru Smith, with a calf issue, carry the same October 21 estimate.

Roster Set

Heat.com reported that Miami waived Ezra Ausar, Kylor Kelley, Gabe Madsen and Bez Mbeng. Seventeen players remain, with Ryan Conwell and Tre Donaldson the rookies. Conwell led the finale with 21 points. The depth chart is now fixed, so every minute from here is earned against real competition.

One Number

Simone Fontecchio is shooting 70.8% true shooting over his last 10 games. The sample is small, but it is the sort of efficiency a bench has to produce if the starters are short-handed on opening night.

Bottom Line

Miami won 43 games last season and lost 39, and it is over the $200.4M tax line at $209.1M. That bill buys availability and execution. Adebayo's body is the first test, and the standard for everyone else is being ready on Wednesday.

When do the Heat open the 2026-27 season?

Miami opens Wednesday, October 21, at home against the Timberwolves, on ESPN. The Pistons visit two nights later.

Will Bam Adebayo play in the Heat opener?

His estimated return is October 21, but no clearance has been logged. He is still listed with a groin issue.

By the Heat Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.