Miami Heat Outscores Hawks in Overtime Play-In Victory

ATLANTA (AP) — The Miami Heat secured a historic victory in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a dramatic 123-114 overtime win against the Atlanta Hawks on April 18, 2025. Tyler Herro led the charge with 30 points, including critical three-pointers in the extra period, propelling the Heat into the playoffs for the first time as a No. 10 seed.

After losing an early lead, Miami rallied to regain control, setting the stage for a matchup against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The win marks the first time a team has advanced from the play-in after stringing together two road victories since the format’s introduction.

Bam Adebayo added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Davion Mitchell came alive in overtime, sinking three consecutive three-pointers. Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra emphasized his team’s resilience: “In high-pressure moments, we found a way to come together and execute our game plan.”

Despite Miami’s strong start that saw them jump to a 17-point lead at 45-28, the Hawks clawed back, eventually forcing overtime. Trae Young’s layup with just 1.3 seconds left in regulation tied the contest at 106, setting the stage for an electrifying finish.

Young finished with 29 points and 11 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu dominated with 28 points and 12 rebounds for Atlanta. “We showed grit to fight back from their early lead,” Okongwu said following the game. “But in overtime, we just couldn’t find our rhythm in time.”

The Hawks had attempted 21 three-point shots in the first half and made five of them, reflecting a shift in strategy encouraged by head coach Quin Snyder. “Our players need to be more confident taking contested shots,” Snyder remarked after the match.

Overall, the Heat outscored the Hawks 17-8 in overtime, as Herro sealed the win with a pair of clutch three-pointers. With this win, the Heat head to Cleveland, poised to challenge the top team in the conference in their playoff opener.