MIAMI – The Miami Heat finally broke free from their 10-game slump on Sunday night, cruising to a 122-105 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, thanks to a dominant performance from Andrew Wiggins. The newly acquired forward exploded for 42 points, marking his highest-scoring game with Miami and the second-highest of his career. Tyler Herro contributed 29 points, helping the Heat regain momentum after weeks of struggles.
The 42-point outing from Wiggins was the most by any Heat player this season, surpassing Herro’s three 40-point performances. However, he fell just five points short of his career-high 47, which he achieved on November 13, 2016, as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wiggins will now face his former team, the Golden State Warriors, for the first time since being traded to Miami last month.
Hornets Struggle After Early Lead
Charlotte started strong, leading by as many as 12 points early in the game, but their advantage quickly disappeared as Miami took control. The loss officially eliminated the Hornets from playoff contention, extending their postseason drought to eight seasons. The last time Charlotte made the playoffs was in 2016 when they lost a hard-fought seven-game first-round series to the Heat.
Nick Smith Jr. led the Hornets with 19 points, while LaMelo Ball added 18 points and 11 assists in a losing effort.
Game Takeaways
Miami Heat:
- Wiggins’ 42-point outburst gave Miami its first win in 11 games.
- Tyler Herro continued his strong play with 29 points.
- Forward Nikola Jovic, sidelined for the past four weeks with a broken hand, is still awaiting full medical clearance. Head coach Erik Spoelstra noted that Jovic is staying active through conditioning and strength training but is not yet ready for game action.
Charlotte Hornets:
- The Hornets have now lost multiple games this season after leading by double digits early. On December 5 against the New York Knicks, Charlotte led by 13 before falling behind by 28 and losing 125-101.
- Their elimination from playoff contention means they will miss the postseason for the eighth straight year.
Turning Point
Miami completely flipped the game late in the first half. With just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Heat went on a stunning 24-4 run, turning a tight contest into a dominant lead before halftime. During this stretch, Miami shot an impressive 10-of-14 from the field, while Charlotte struggled, going just 1-of-12.
Key Stat
Miami’s 10-game losing streak, which ended with this victory, ranks as the sixth-longest in franchise history. The Heat have previously endured losing streaks of 17, 15, 13, 12, and 11 games, along with two other 10-game slides.
What’s Next?
- Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets return home to face the Orlando Magic on Tuesday as they play out the remainder of the season with no playoff hopes.
- Miami Heat: The Heat stay in Miami to host the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. This will be Wiggins’ first game against his former team since the trade, adding extra excitement to the matchup.
With this much-needed win, Miami will look to build momentum and push for a stronger finish to the season.
