Herro Leads Heat 123-114 Past Hawks, Clinches Playoff Spot/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Tyler Herro led the Miami Heat with 30 points, including two key three-pointers in overtime, as the team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 123-114. With the victory, Miami secured the No. 8 seed and a first-round playoff series against top-seeded Cleveland.
Heat Win Play-In Thriller — Quick Look
- Tyler Herro scores 30 points, leads Heat to victory
- Miami defeats Atlanta 123-114 in overtime thriller
- Heat advance as first No. 10 seed to reach playoffs
- Miami to face Cleveland in first round on Sunday
- Davion Mitchell hits three OT 3-pointers for Heat
- Trae Young scores 29 with 11 assists in loss
- Onyeka Okongwu posts 28 points, 12 rebounds
- Miami wins two road games to clinch playoff spot
Deep Look: Herro, Heat Outlast Hawks in Overtime to Punch Playoff Ticket
Deep Looks
ATLANTA (April 18, 2025) —
History was made in Atlanta on Friday night, as the Miami Heat became the first No. 10 seed to secure an NBA playoff berth under the current play-in tournament format. Tyler Herro poured in 30 points and hit two clutch 3-pointers in overtime to lift the Heat to a 123-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
With the win, Miami advances to face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Game 1 tips off Sunday in Cleveland.
“We did it the hard way. We’re battle-tested,” said Heat forward Haywood Highsmith, who notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. “We can go anywhere and beat anybody.”
After surrendering a 17-point first-half lead and watching Trae Young force overtime with a layup in the final seconds of regulation, the Heat found another gear. Davion Mitchell, who had just seven points in regulation, erupted for three 3-pointers in the extra frame to seal the victory.
“I know how badly our group wanted to get into this thing,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. “I could see it in their eyes and feel it in their heart.”
Herro’s strong start and late-game heroics defined Miami’s night, but the team effort was just as crucial. The Heat’s aggressive early play saw them jump out to a 10-0 lead and build a 45-28 advantage in the second quarter.
The Hawks, however, battled back behind Young’s 29 points and 11 assists and a dominant performance from Onyeka Okongwu, who added 28 points and 12 rebounds. A three-pointer and fast-break dunk by Okongwu late in the fourth helped Atlanta grab a brief lead before Herro and the Heat wrestled back control.
The win capped a remarkable play-in run for Miami, which also won on the road earlier this week to stay alive. Spoelstra emphasized the significance: “We’re the first team to do it, and why not go through two road games?”
Miami also welcomed the return of forward Nikola Jovic and guard Pelle Larsson, both of whom were cleared but did not play. Their presence could be key in the upcoming series against Cleveland.
Atlanta, meanwhile, exits the postseason picture, left to reflect on a season of inconsistency. “Not making the playoffs is a failure to me,” said Young, who had sparked the Hawks’ late surge.
Despite a stronger three-point shooting effort (16-of-47 from deep), it wasn’t enough for Atlanta, who couldn’t contain Herro or the Heat’s late-game momentum.
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