Miami finally got its first win of the Giannis era, and a longtime Heat star made history along the way. The win ended a frustrating start for a team that entered the season with high expectations.
Bam Adebayo became the Miami Heat’s career leader in rebounds as Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 points and 18 rebounds in a 129 to 117 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026.
How did Bam Adebayo break the record?
Bam Adebayo grabbed nine rebounds to reach 5,794 for his career, passing Udonis Haslem’s 5,791. Haslem collected his total over 20 seasons with Miami and had held the record since November 2012. Adebayo has spent his entire career with Miami since the team drafted him in 2017.
A Heat staff member secured the game ball to present to Bam Adebayo after the milestone.
Bam Adebayo said in an interview on the court after the game that he could not put the moment into words. Haslem, he said, had been close to him throughout his 10 years in the league, from the day he arrived until now.
What is the connection between Adebayo and Haslem?
Haslem was Miami’s longtime captain and a key part of three championship teams. When he retired, Bam Adebayo took over the captain role. Haslem, a Miami native, played his entire career with the Heat.
The Heat head coach called it a special moment in the locker room. He said Bam Adebayo earned the record with an iron will and an unmatched work ethic, grabbing many rebounds in traffic while getting hit and banged around. He described Haslem as Adebayo’s brother.
How did Giannis Antetokounmpo play?
Antetokounmpo’s 24 points and 18 rebounds gave him 138 points this season, the most by any Heat player through his first five games with the team. He has been aggressive since arriving, scoring 35 points in his debut against Minnesota.
It was his 118th career game with at least 20 points and 15 rebounds, the third most in the league since he entered in 2013. He won two MVP awards and a championship with Milwaukee before the trade.
Miami had lost its first four games after acquiring Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks this offseason. After his debut loss, he said the team needed to trust each other more.
How did the Heat beat Atlanta?
Miami shot 53% from the field and scored 70 points in the paint. The Heat made 15 of 23 shots in the first quarter to lead 34 to 25 and were up 69 to 56 at halftime. The Heat attacked the rim all night.
Their biggest lead came late in the third quarter, when Tim Hardaway Jr. hit a 3 to make it 95 to 77. Hardaway finished with 14 points off the bench.
Andrew Wiggins scored 18 points, and Pelle Larsson added 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Larsson, a young guard, filled the stat sheet in an expanded role.
What did the Heat coach say about the slow start?
The coach praised his players for staying positive during the losing streak. No one was hanging their heads, he said, and the team focused on coming together and finding solutions.
He said one win is not the goal, because the Heat are trying to build something much bigger, and that their attitude will help them over a long season. Miami will look to build on the win as the season continues.
For Bam Adebayo and the Heat, the night offered both a milestone and a win they had been waiting for. Both should give the team a boost of confidence.
