PRESEASON DATES ARE SET — BUT FIRST, LET’S APPRECIATE WHAT THIS HEAT TEAM JUST DID
Three home preseason games are locked in for October. But before we look ahead to 2026-27, it’s worth remembering the historic season that just wrapped — headlined by the most jaw-dropping individual performance in modern NBA history.
Mark Your Calendars: The 2026-27 Preseason Home Schedule
The Miami Heat announced their preseason home slate on Thursday, confirming three matchups at Kaseya Center this October. Here’s the schedule:
- October 8: vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- October 10: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- October 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets
Tickets are already on sale, and the buzz is building for what promises to be another electric season in Miami.
This continues the Heat’s tradition of hosting three home preseason games before the regular season begins. Last year’s slate featured the Bucks, Spurs, and Grizzlies, and this year’s lineup offers a mix of playoff-tested foes and rising teams.
Before We Look Forward — Remember March 10
It’s hard to move on from a season that gave Miami fans a night for the ages.
On March 10, 2026, Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in NBA history. Under the lights of a sold-out Kaseya Center, he dropped 83 points in a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point game from 2006.
Only Wilt Chamberlain’s mythical 100-point game from 1962 stands above Adebayo’s masterpiece.
“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo said after the game. “It sounds crazy.”
It was crazy. Adebayo’s stat line was the stuff of legend:
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Points | 83 |
| Field Goals | 20-43 |
| Three-Pointers | 7-22 |
| Free Throws | 36-43 |
| Shot Attempts | 86 |
| Quarter Breakdown | 31 / 12 / 19 / 21 |
Adebayo didn’t just break records — he shattered them. His 36 free throws made and 43 attempted are both new league highs. He obliterated the Heat’s single-game scoring record of 61 points, previously held by LeBron James.
And here’s the kicker: Adebayo’s previous career high was 41 points. He had already doubled that by halftime.
How the Night Unfolded
The game started with fireworks. Adebayo scored 31 points in the first quarter alone — setting a Heat record for points in a single quarter and outscoring the entire Wizards team, 31-29, by himself. By halftime, he had 43 points, breaking his own career high.
The fourth quarter was pure theater. With Miami comfortably ahead and Adebayo sitting on 62 points, head coach Erik Spoelstra made his intentions clear: he wanted Adebayo to chase history.
The Wizards tried everything to stop him. Double-teams, triple-teams, even quadruple-teams. They intentionally fouled other Heat players to keep the ball away from Adebayo. But it didn’t matter.
“The fourth quarter just turned into not a real basketball game,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said afterward.
He wasn’t wrong. But 83 points is 83 points — and it’s a performance that will live forever in NBA lore.
The Bottom Line
The 2026-27 preseason kicks off on October 8 against the Pelicans, followed by the Timberwolves on October 10 and the Nets on October 14. Tickets are available now, and the Heat are ready to start fresh.
But before the next chapter begins, take a moment to appreciate what this team just accomplished. Bam Adebayo gave Miami fans the second-greatest scoring performance in league history.
Come October, let them know you haven’t forgotten.
Sources
Miami Heat Official: Heat Announce 2025-26 Preseason Home Schedule (June 2, 2025)
Local 10 / WPLG: Miami Heat Announce 2026-27 Preseason Home Schedule (May 7, 2026)
HoopsHype / Yahoo Sports: Miami Heat Announce Three-Game Preseason Schedule (May 7, 2026)
NBA.com: Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat, March 10, 2026 — Official Game Page
Wikipedia: Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game
Michigan Public Radio (NPR): Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Night Was One to Remember (March 12, 2026)
Oberlin Review: Bam Adebayo Scores 83 Against Wizards
