Giannis Antetokounmpo’s anticipated season launch in his new team, the Miami Heat, has seen a disappointing start as they have now suffered three consecutive defeats in their first three games for the 2026–27 NBA season, despite the “Greek Freak”‘s contribution to the contest.
This is the first time that the Miami Heat have fallen to 0–3 since the 2007–08 season.
In their first two games, where Giannis shone with an average 35.5 points scored in each, the Miami Heat lost against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons – both of which are contending teams. But Saturday night’s 115-110 loss to the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center came against a shorthanded opponent that lost the previous night by 47.
Fans on social media described this third defeat as “embarrassing” and observed that the team struggled in defense.
Antetokounmpo fouled out in the game’s closing minutes
Antetokounmpo scored just 14 points against the Hornets, collected six rebounds and fouled out late in the game – a much different picture from the previous two contests, where he had scored 35 points against Minnesota and 36 against Detroit.
While the Heat made an impressive fourth-quarter comeback on Saturday, it ultimately could not complete the turnaround.
One of the most decisive moments in Miami’s 115–110 defeat to the Charlotte Hornets came from Antetokounmpo’s inability to remain on the court; the Nigerian-Greek superstar fouled out at the worst possible moment with 1:57 remaining. His foul troubles had forced Miami to adjust its rotations since the second quarter, which disrupted Giannis’s rhythm and limited his influence on the game.
The Heat’s next opportunity comes against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, October 26, when Miami returns home looking for its first win of the campaign.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster move to the Miami Heat
Giannis Antetokounmpo moved to the Miami Heat this summer after twelve seasons at Milwaukee Bucks that defined his career and led him to basketball greatness.
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