Wiggins Settles in as Jovic Joins Starting Five in Heat’s Preseason Opener
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October 5, 2025 — MIAMI — After a challenging transition from Golden State to South Florida last season, forward Andrew Wiggins spent the summer relocating his family to Miami and working daily at the team facility. The 30-year-old said the stability has helped him adjust to new teammates, coaches and systems.
“I’m in a new situation, new players, new coaches, new systems,” Wiggins said. “Now, just getting a summer under my belt … any chance to build up that chemistry and be comfortable with the team and with what we have going on.”
Head coach Erik Spoelstra noted that Wiggins’ extended offseason in Miami allowed for extra on-court work. “He was in the gym, so we were able to see him a whole lot more,” Spoelstra said. “He has an opportunity to be such an impactful two-way player.”
The early results were encouraging. In Saturday’s preseason opener against Orlando, Wiggins scored 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 12 minutes during Miami’s 118-104 victory.
Frontcourt shuffle
Spoelstra opened the game with Nikola Jovic alongside Bam Adebayo, moving 7-footer Kel’el Ware to the bench. Ware had started 36 of his final 38 regular-season games in 2024-25 and all four playoff contests, and Miami’s Adebayo-Ware lineups outscored opponents by 4.6 points per 100 possessions last year.
Jovic, removed from the starting unit early last season, rewarded the move with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block in 12 minutes. The 22-year-old had signed a rookie-scale extension earlier in the week. “We’re really excited for Niko,” Spoelstra said. “You’re seeing him grow and mature right before your eyes.”
Smith returns from Achilles tear
Guard Dru Smith logged his first action since tearing his left Achilles roughly nine and a half months ago. The 27-year-old posted a team-best plus-11 rating in 10 minutes and, according to Spoelstra, is firmly in the mix for a rotation role as the regular season approaches.
Source: HoopsRumors
