The Miami Heat opened their 2026-27 season at home against the Timberwolves on ESPN on October 21, with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway Jr. added in the offseason. The discussion has moved to how Miami will manage Giannis and Bam Adebayo, opening and closing together but alternating in the middle, and to Giannis saying after a game that he needs to get used to playing this fast. His 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 62 percent shooting in 36 games last season underpin the case that Miami is a real East contender. Klay Thompson picking up four fouls in about eight minutes in the opener is the newest concern.