Looking to make an impact after the All-Star break, the Miami Heat got off to an explosive start with a 128-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks with the return of a key piece to the puzzle. As soon as Heat star Tyler Herro returned to practice on Thursday after missing the previous 15 games, he came back on Friday night, and made an immediate impact that caught the attention of captain Bam Adebayo.
It has been a disappointing season for Herro to say the least, as in addition to missing the last 15 fixtures, he has been absent in 45 of the 57 games he has played so far. Coming off the bench in the win at Atlanta, he led the team with 24 points on nine of 14 shooting from the field, two of four from deep, four rebounds and three assists.
For Adebayo, who recorded 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, it is not surprising to see how Herro could impact Miami, but he felt the guard has an "edge" to him.
“We know what Tyler can do – it's not a shock...but I think he had an edge about him today, and he showed it,” Adebayo said, via the team's video, which was posted on Twitter by HeatCulture, formerly of X.
Bam Adebayo on Tyler Herro's return:
"We know what Tyler can do – it's not a shock... but I think he had an edge about him today and he showed it."
24 points in 23 minutes from Hero😮💨 pic.twitter.com/6EOI01Hr19
- 𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙂𝙡𝙩𝙂𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) 21 February 2026
It was Herro's 11th game of the season, which was an "encouraging" sign to see, as head coach Erik Spoelstra reiterated.
“It was definitely exciting,” Spoelstra said. "Obviously, it's been a unique season for him. We know how competitive he is; we know how much he wants to be there. But these are things you can't control. But we've never forgotten about the talent he brings. He changes our dynamic tremendously."
Heat's Tyler Herro speaks on his return from rib injury
While the Heat are looking to turn their season around after finishing close to a .500 record and finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference, Herro's involvement could reflect the totality of what this team is really like. At the end of the day, Herro's health is paramount to as far as this team can reach.
“It felt great,” Herro said. "Finally, it was amazing to be out there. To be out there with my teammates, playing games and getting into my routine again. It felt good."
The focus has now turned to what his role will be at Will, whether he will continue to come off the bench or return to the starting lineup. After missing 13 games with a toe injury, Spoelstra benched him in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 6, but returned to the starting lineup.
“Right now we're just trying to get him out of there,” Spoelstra said. "We're going to manage the minutes. I'm not thinking too much about it, I'm not putting anything into it, I don't have a timeline for anything."
That remains to be seen, but the answer will be revealed soon as Miami takes on the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
