Heat 126-111 Hawks (Dec 26, 2025) Game Recap: A Dominant Heat Performance
The Miami Heat dominated the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, securing a 126-111 victory and handing the Hawks their fifth consecutive loss. The Heat's Norman Powell led the scoring with 25 points, while Pelle Larsson set a career-high with 21 points. The Heat's Kel'el Ware filled in for Bam Adebayo, who was sidelined with a back injury, contributing 16 points and 13 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins and Jamie Jaquez Jr. also provided crucial support from the bench, with Wiggins scoring 18 points and Jaquez Jr. adding 16.
Despite a recent slump, the Heat improved their record to 16-15, winning over .500 for the first time in nine games. Tyler Herro, however, missed his eighth consecutive game due to a toe injury. Larsson, who had been out with a sprained ankle, returned to the starting lineup.
For the Hawks, Trae Young was the top scorer with 30 points and seven assists. Jalen Johnson also had a strong performance, contributing 24 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. The Hawks' struggles continued, falling to 5-10 at home and maintaining a stark contrast between their road and home records.
A pivotal moment in the game came in the fourth quarter when Wiggins executed a steal, saved the ball along the sideline, and hit a running reverse layup, extending the Heat's lead to 102-87. The Heat's superior rebounding (52-42) and turnover management (21 forced, 12 committed) played a significant role in their victory, resulting in 19 more field goal attempts.
Looking ahead, the Heat will host Indiana on Saturday night, while the Hawks will face New York at home, facing their eighth back-to-back game of the season, the most in the NBA.
