Heat Fell to Timberwolves in Exhibition Opener
The Miami Heat lost 125-124 as the team rested rotation regulars ahead of the regular season.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Basketball
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The Miami Heat dropped a close 125-124 exhibition game to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. With regular rotation players held out, the Heat relied on a younger roster to lead the scoring.
Why it matters
The game served as a personnel test as the Heat manage their roster before the official season start. Coaches are currently evaluating players as they prepare for the league's upcoming roster reduction deadline.
Ryan Conwell led Miami with 22 points, supported by Vlad Goldin with 18 points in the 125-124 loss. The team must reduce its current 21-man roster to 18 players by October 18.
The players
Miami Heat
The professional basketball team based in Miami.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The visiting professional basketball team.
Ryan Conwell
The Heat player who led the team with 22 points.
Nikola Jovic
The Heat player who recorded 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Simone Fontecchio
The Heat player who contributed 14 points with a strong performance from 3-point range.
The details
Rotation regulars for both teams sat out this exhibition, allowing younger players like Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio to see significant minutes. Fontecchio shot 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, while Nick Richards contributed 10 rebounds. The Heat expect to get a clearer look at their rotation during upcoming games against the Brooklyn Nets and the Orlando Magic before the regular season begins.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: Heat played the Timberwolves in an exhibition game.
October 15, 2026: Heat host the Brooklyn Nets in an exhibition game.
October 17, 2026: Heat travel to face the Orlando Magic.
October 18, 2026: Deadline to trim the roster to 18 players.
October 21, 2026: The Heat and Timberwolves meet for the regular-season opener.
Beyond the 305
This game functions as a final audition for players competing for the last remaining spots on the active roster. It follows the established pattern of NBA preseason play, where teams prioritize personnel evaluation over competitive outcomes before the final roster deadline.
Fans can watch the final exhibition home game against the Brooklyn Nets on October 15 before the regular season tips off. The team's final roster decisions will set the lineup for the October 21 home opener at the Kaseya Center.
The takeaway
The game was a low-stakes evaluation opportunity for the team's depth. Watch the upcoming preseason finale against the Orlando Magic on October 17 to see which players secure the final spots on the active roster.
What happens next
The Heat must finalize their roster by cutting to 18 players by October 18, 2026.
Further reading
Find more coverage of the team's progress this season on our Basketball page.
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