Miami opens 2026-27 tonight on ESPN against Minnesota, the team that beat it 125-124 in preseason on October 10. Four more games follow by October 28, including a Pistons-Hornets back-to-back that will show whether this group's conditioning is real.
Edwards Comes First
Wednesday, October 21, Timberwolves, ESPN. Both teams are coming off four days without a game, so neither side can blame fatigue. Minnesota is playing its second straight road game. Anthony Edwards averaged 28.8 points last season, LaMelo Ball added 20.1 with 7.1 assists, and Rudy Gobert pulled down 11.5 boards a night. Donte DiVincenzo will not play; he is listed out with a right Achilles injury. All U Can Heat called this Miami's first defensive test against Edwards and Ball. That is the right frame. Minnesota went 49-33 last season, six wins better than Miami's 43-39, and it has already beaten this roster once.
Two Nights Running
Friday, October 23, Pistons at home. Saturday, October 24, at Charlotte. It is the only back-to-back of the stretch, and it comes in the first week of the season. Miami played at a 104.2 pace last season, among the faster tempos in the league. A team that runs like that needs legs on the second night. Giannis Antetokounmpo's minutes on Saturday will say how much the staff trusts its depth.
Dallas, Then Atlanta
Monday, October 26, Mavericks at home on NBA TV. Wednesday, October 28, at the Hawks. Each of those games comes after a day off. That makes three home games and two road games in the first eight days, a soft opening by any measure. A soft schedule leaves no room for a slow start.
Who Is Available
Bam Adebayo was cleared on October 20 after a right groin issue, so the frontcourt pairing everyone has been waiting on is finally available. Pelle Larsson and Dru Smith were also cleared that day. Vladislav Goldin is the one question mark: an ankle issue, with an estimated return of tonight. He scored 18 in the preseason loss to Minnesota. Ira Winderman reported that Nick Richards' 2026-27 salary has become guaranteed, which would keep another center on the roster behind Adebayo.
Bottom Line
Miami's preseason ended with a 136-115 beating at Orlando, and its defense ranked 13th last season at a 113.6 rating. Neither is acceptable for a roster carrying Antetokounmpo and Adebayo. Three home games, one back-to-back, no excuses available. Anything below 3-2 is a problem of effort, not of the schedule.
When and where can I watch the Heat open the season against the Timberwolves?
The Heat host the Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 21, on ESPN. The Mavericks game on October 26 is the other one this week with a national broadcast, on NBA TV.
Do the Heat have a back-to-back in the first week?
Yes. Miami hosts the Pistons on Friday, October 23, and plays at Charlotte on Saturday, October 24.
