The Miami Heat bounced back from their recent struggles with a convincing 126-111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on December 26, 2025 at State Farm Arena.
Norman Powell led the way with 25 points while Pelle Larsson marked his return from injury with a career-high 21 points.
Miami moved back to .500 at 16-15 with the win, snapping their own losing streak after dropping eight of nine games. Meanwhile, Atlanta fell to 15-16 as their losing streak extended to five games, continuing their puzzling struggles at home.
Game Flow: How Miami Took Control
The game stayed competitive early, with both teams trading baskets through a 32-32 first quarter.
But Miami found their groove in the second period, outscoring Atlanta 31-19 to build a commanding 63-51 halftime advantage.
Atlanta made their best push in the third quarter, cutting into the deficit with a 33-27 edge in the period.
The Hawks couldn’t sustain that momentum though, as Miami pulled away in the fourth quarter with a decisive 36-27 finish to seal the victory.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring:
- 1st Quarter: 32-32 (tied)
- 2nd Quarter: Miami 31, Atlanta 19 (+12 Heat)
- 3rd Quarter: Atlanta 33, Miami 27 (+6 Hawks)
- 4th Quarter: Miami 36, Atlanta 27 (+9 Heat)
- Final Score: Heat 126, Hawks 111
What Made the Difference
Miami won this game in three key areas that Atlanta couldn’t match:
Ball Security: The Heat took care of the basketball with just 10 turnovers compared to Atlanta’s 21 giveaways. That 11-turnover difference gave Miami extra possessions that they converted into points.
Rebounding Dominance: Miami controlled the glass with 52 rebounds to Atlanta’s 42, including a crucial 13-5 advantage on offensive boards. Those second-chance opportunities kept drives alive and wore down the Hawks defense.
Clutch Free Throw Shooting: When the game was on the line, Miami knocked down 17 of 18 free throws (94.4%). Atlanta shot well from the line too at 90.5%, but Miami’s near-perfection prevented any late comeback attempts.
Norman Powell’s Stellar Performance
Powell’s 25-point night came on efficient 9-of-16 shooting from the field. While his three-point shot wasn’t falling (2-of-8), he found other ways to impact the game with 7 rebounds and 5 assists across 32 minutes.
His signature moment came in the fourth quarter with an acrobatic over-the-head layup that effectively put the game away. Powell also went perfect from the free-throw line at 5-of-5, showcasing the veteran composure Miami needed without their injured stars.
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Pelle Larsson’s Triumphant Return
After missing five games with an ankle injury, Larsson couldn’t have scripted a better comeback. His career-high 21 points came on outstanding 9-of-13 shooting, including a scorching 3-of-4 from three-point range.
What impressed most was his efficiency and ball security. Larsson played 29 minutes without turning the basketball over once, showing the poise of a veteran despite his young age. His 69% field goal percentage gave Miami exactly the secondary scoring they needed.
Miami’s Role Players Step Up
With Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro both sidelined, Miami got crucial contributions from their supporting cast:
Kel’el Ware filled in admirably for Adebayo with 16 points and 13 rebounds on 70% shooting. The rookie also knocked down 2-of-4 three-pointers, adding a dimension even Adebayo doesn’t always provide.
Andrew Wiggins<span> contributed 18 points and 8 rebounds while making several highlight-reel plays, including a steal and reverse layup that extended Miami’s lead to 15 points.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the bench with 16 points in 27 minutes, continuing his solid play as Miami’s sixth man.
Complete Box Scores
Miami Heat Leading Scorers
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
| Norman Powell | 32 | 25 | 7 | 5 | 56.3% | 25.0% |
| Pelle Larsson | 29 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 69.2% | 75.0% |
| Andrew Wiggins | 32 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 52.9% | 0.0% |
| Kel’el Ware | 32 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 70.0% | 50.0% |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | 27 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 35.7% | 33.3% |
Atlanta Hawks Leading Scorers
| Player | Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
| Trae Young | 32 | 30 | 2 | 6 | 50.0% | 62.5% |
| Jalen Johnson | 37 | 24 | 9 | 10 | 58.8% | 16.7% |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 31 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 42.9% | 40.0% |
| Onyeka Okongwu | 34 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 31.3% | 0.0% |
| Vit Krejci | 21 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 44.4% | 42.9% |
Atlanta’s Bright Spots Despite the Loss
Trae Young continued his excellent individual play with 30 points on 50% shooting. He was particularly effective from three-point range, connecting on 5-of-8 attempts, and went perfect from the free-throw line at 9-of-9.
Jalen Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds while shooting an efficient 58.8% from the field. However, both Young and Johnson struggled with ball security, combining for 8 of Atlanta’s 21 turnovers.
The Hawks’ shooting wasn’t the problem—they matched Miami’s 47.1% field goal percentage and actually shot better from three (33.3% vs 30.6%). Their downfall came from careless ball handling and getting outmuscled on the boards.
Team Shooting Comparison
| Category | Miami Heat | Atlanta Hawks |
| Field Goals | 49-104 (47.1%) | 40-85 (47.1%) |
| Three-Pointers | 11-36 (30.6%) | 12-36 (33.3%) |
| Free Throws | 17-18 (94.4%) | 19-21 (90.5%) |
| Total Rebounds | 52 | 42 |
| Assists | 29 | 26 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 21 |
| Steals | 14 | 6 |
Injury Impact
Miami accomplished this victory without two of their most important players. Bam Adebayo missed the game with a back injury, while Tyler Herro sat out his eighth consecutive game with a toe problem.
Atlanta welcomed back Dyson Daniels from a one-game absence due to hip inflammation, though he managed just 8 points in 35 minutes and may not have been at full strength.
What This Win Means
For Miami, this road victory showed their championship DNA still exists even without their top talent. Getting back to .500 keeps them in the playoff conversation while proving they have the depth to weather injuries.
Atlanta’s fifth straight loss is concerning, especially given their continued struggles at home (now 5-11). The Hawks are actually better on the road (10-7) than at State Farm Arena, which raises questions about their home preparation and energy.
Looking Ahead
Both teams return to action Saturday night with different momentum:
Miami Heat host the Indiana Pacers, looking to build their first winning streak since early December. The potential return of Adebayo or Herro would provide a significant boost.
Atlanta Hawks welcome the New York Knicks to State Farm Arena, desperately needing to solve their home-court struggles before their playoff hopes slip away completely.
FAQs
Who led scoring in the Heat vs Hawks game?
Trae Young led all scorers with 30 points for Atlanta, while Norman Powell paced Miami with 25 points. Young shot better overall, but Powell’s team got the victory.
Did Bam Adebayo play against Atlanta?
No, Bam Adebayo missed the game with a back injury. Rookie Kel’el Ware started in his place and responded with 16 points and 13 rebounds on 70% shooting.
What was Pelle Larsson’s previous career high?
Larsson’s 21 points established a new career high. He was returning from a five-game absence due to an ankle injury and shot an impressive 9-of-13 from the field.
Why do the Hawks struggle more at home than on the road?
Atlanta entered this game with a better road record (10-7) than home record (5-10). After this loss, they’re 5-11 at State Farm Arena, making them the only playoff contender with a losing home record despite a winning road mark.
How long has Tyler Herro been out?
Tyler Herro missed his eighth consecutive game with a toe injury. The Heat haven’t provided a specific timeline for his return, but his absence has allowed other players like Larsson to step up.
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