Miami Heat Stun Atlanta Hawks in Overtime Play-In Thriller

ATLANTA, GA — The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 in a dramatic overtime finish during the NBA Play-In Game on April 18, 2025, at the State Farm Arena. This win secures the Heat a spot in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The game showcased an intense back-and-forth battle, with Miami leading 10-0 early in the first quarter. The Heat’s Andrew Wiggins ignited the offensive surge, scoring six early points, while the Hawks battled back, led by Trae Young’s sharpshooting.

With a crowd of 17,690 in attendance, the Hawks, who finished the season with a record of 40-42, were left to ponder their future after missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. “We need to evaluate where we go from here,” said Hawks head coach Quin Snyder post-game.

The Heat capitalized on their offensive momentum, recording an impressive field goal percentage of 50% compared to the Hawks’ 43.1%. Miami’s three-point shooting also outclassed Atlanta’s, hitting 38.1% from beyond the arc.

Tyler Herro led the Heat with a game-high 38 points, including 23 points in the first half. He was supported by Wiggins with 20 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed significantly with 15 points and nine rebounds. “This is the kind of performance we wanted to deliver,” Herro stated post-game. “It feels great to keep our playoff hopes alive.”

The matchup was crucial for both teams, particularly for the Hawks, who have not advanced past the first round of the NBA playoffs since the 2020-21 season. Trae Young, who needed just five points to become the all-time leading scorer in Play-In history, finished the game with 27 points but couldn’t prevent the loss. “It’s disappointing,” Young said. “We had our chances, but we didn’t execute like we needed to.”

The game went into overtime after a gripping final quarter where both teams exchanged leads. Miami’s defense tightened in the extra period, holding Atlanta to just eight points while they tallied 15 to secure the victory. “We stepped up when it mattered most,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “This win demonstrates our resilience and determination.”

As the Heat advance to face the Cavaliers in the playoffs, the Hawks face an offseason filled with critical decisions, particularly regarding their roster and coaching strategies. “We’ll take the time necessary to reassess what’s best for the future,” Snyder added.