MIAMI — Because of injuries, absences, nights off and experimentation, the Miami Heat enter Wednesday night’s season-opener from a decidedly different perspective than the Orlando Magic, ahead of the teams’ meeting at Kia Center.
While Orlando appears largely set with its rotation, coach Erik Spoelstra said lineup and rotation continuity remain a work in progress for the Heat.
“We’ll figure out who the main minute guys are and who’s going to be plugging and supporting,” he said, with 10 players receiving starts during the Heat’s 0-6 preseason, with only Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins starting five.
“But we have depth and that is one of our strengths of our roster, so we want to take advantage of that, as well. That’ll all play itself out. We’ll adjust as we need to.”
With Adebayo, Powell and Wiggins seemingly standing as the sure things for the opening starting lineup, there is lineup flexibility in the power rotation with Kel’el Ware or Nikola Jovic, as well as at point guard, with Davion Michell or Dru Smith.
“I like the versatility,” Spoelstra said. “I like the fact that those guys are different, they’re bringing something a little bit unique to the table. That helps us and we want to lean into that.”
Ware remains somewhat of a question mark for the opener, dealing with neck spasms this week, although he did return to practice Tuesday.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Spoelstra downplayed what he considered overplayed discussion of his offseason critiques of Ware.
“I didn’t even challenge him that strongly,” Spoelstra said in a measured voice. “I just mentioned very matter of fact about his game. I like the progress he’s making. We’re going to continue to coach him and push him. We see the talent there. He really can add a lot to our team.
“He wants us to coach him and that’s what we owe him, for him to reach his full potential.”
The only two players ruled out for the Heat following Tuesday’s practice were guard Tyler Herro, who is recovering from last months ankle surgery, and rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis, who has been sidelined with a groin issue for a week. Neither traveled.
Expectations unknown
Spoelstra was candid about the uncertainty surrounding his team.
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“No, I don’t fully know, and I’m and OK with embracing the unknown,” he said when asked about the Heat’s 2025-26 outlook. “I said that the first day of training camp. I think our team is set up for great potential for growth as the season goes on.
“While we’re improving, while guys are growing, hopefully a lot of guys are surprising us — hopefully we can get some Ws under our belt, too.”
And, with that, the Heat’s preseason effectively came to a close.
“We’re excited,” Spoelstra said. “It’s been a very good training camp. Guys are looking forward to competing, with the games that count, pleased with the work we’ve been able to put in the last three weeks, but also before that in September.”
Opening numbers
Wednesday marks the 10th time the Heat have opened against the Magic in Miami’s 38 seasons, the first of the teams’ four matchups this season.
The Heat enter 20-17 in season openers.
The Magic won last season’s opener between the teams 116-97 at Kaseya Center. This season the Heat don’t play their home opener until Sunday against the New York Knicks, after first completing their opening trip on Friday night in Memphis against the Grizzlies.