ATLANTA, GA — On April 18, 2025, the Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 in an overtime thriller during the NBA Play-In Tournament at State Farm Arena. The win not only ended the Hawks’ season but also secured the Heat a spot in the first round of the playoffs.
The matchup marked a critical moment for both teams, with Miami, carrying a 37-45 record, looking to make a statement against the 40-42 Hawks. The game was tense, leading to overtime after a fierce fourth quarter battle.
Tyler Herro led Miami’s charge with 38 points, contributing heavily to their successful offense. ‘We knew we had to come out strong,’ Herro said after the game. ‘Every possession counted, and we executed our plays.’ The Heat’s sharp shooting was evident, as they finished with a shooting percentage of 50% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
For the Hawks, Trae Young, who struggled in the previous game against the Magic, managed to score 30 points. ‘It’s tough to lose like this, especially at home,’ Young shared during the post-game interview. ‘But we gave it our all and fought until the end.’ Atlanta struggled with turnovers, finishing with 10 compared to Miami’s 15, which played a significant role in the game’s outcome.
Despite leading most of the game, Atlanta’s late-game errors allowed Miami to claw back and force overtime. ‘We just couldn’t hold onto the lead,’ said Hawks coach. ‘We need to learn from these mistakes if we want to compete at this level.’ Miami’s resilience, outscoring Atlanta 12-3 in overtime, highlighted their determination.
Attendance for the game was 17,690, a strong showing from the Atlanta crowd who were hopeful for a playoff appearance. However, as the game unfolded, it became clear the Heat were prepared for the challenge. The two teams will now await playoff matchups as Miami prepares to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.
