Well that didn’t take long.
Two-time Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, making his Miami Heat regular-season debut Wednesday, Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, immediately imposed his will and erupted in the first half.
Antetokounmpo scored his first bucket just 13 seconds into the game, on a 16-foot pullup jumper he laced with ease after the Timberwolves dared him to shoot. That would be the last time Minnesota would do that.
Antetokounmpo actually scored Miami’s first eight points of the game and dropped a 14-point quarter to introduce himself to his new fan base.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra empowered Antetokounmpo to handle the ball and attack the paint at will, especially in transition. Antetokounmpo, who played just 36 games
last season in Milwaukee because of various calf injuries, used his size, handles and length to charge to the rim. Another byproduct: Antetokounmpo got to the line in the first half, hitting 5-of-8 attempts.
Antetokounmpo finished his first first half with the Heat with 21 points on an ultra-efficient 8-of-10 shooting. He added 3 rebounds, but recorded only 1 assist, as some of his teammates missed their catch-and-shoot looks when Antetokounmpo found them.
For what it’s worth, Antetokounmpo did not record a 20-point half last season.
The Heat acquired Antetokounmpo in a June blockbuster deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Miami Heat debut highlights
His first basket
Giannis scores his first bucket in his Miami debut 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 21, 2026
Wolves/Heat is LIVE on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/VWtbJcThFA
Antetokounmpo crosses up Rudy Gobert
Giannis in the first half of his Heat debut:
— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2026
21 PTS
8-10 FGM https://t.co/fmX3VgNpqe pic.twitter.com/NCRArPcHCO
Antetokounmpo chirps at Anthony Edwards
YEAHHHH 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/DbrHJUoMv5
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 22, 2026
Antetokounmpo takes two strides to get to the rim ... from the top of the key
I mean come on... pic.twitter.com/QvyOPeSo9B
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 22, 2026
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giannis erupts in Heat debut: Live updates, highlights vs. Timberwolves
