Giannis finally takes Kaseya Center court for Heat, adding buzz to benefit scrimmage, 'It's good to be on this side'

Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Oct 6, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

MIAMI — Typically, an intrasquad scrimmage during the NBA preseason merits a yawn.

This one, however, felt different. Because Tuesday night’s Red, White & Pink Game marked the first time Giannis Antetokounmpo was in action in Heat colors on the Heat’s court.

Yes, there were bigger messages to be shared, with the game benefiting Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, as a tribute to those fighting and those who have beaten breast cancer.

So, good cause, good vibes and a low-stress means to introduce Antetokounmpo to the home crowd.

The event began with Heat players introduced while accompanied by survivors, patients and doctors, entering the court with the guests of honor, with Antetokounmpo introduced immediately before Bam Adebayo.

Antetokounmpo addressed the crowd before the game.

“I feel good. This is my first time being out here with fans,” he said. “It’s good to be on this side. I feel good. I’m excited. I’m motivated. I’m working hard. I’m locked in.”

Of the event, Adebayo related it the approach of coach Erik Spoelstra, “Spo always has this thing about sharing in success. This night is about that.”

Which Spoelstra then stressed when he spoke on the court.

“This night is about the survivors and everybody who is dealing with this,” he said.

Six Degrees of Heat from Tuesday night’s scrimmage:

— 1. The event: Antetokounmpo and Adebayo opened alongside each other, in a first five rounded out by Davion Mitchell, Klay Thompson and Simone Fontecchio.

Four of those five started Saturday’s preseason-opening victory over the Toronto Raptors, with Fontecchio filling in for Saturday starter Andrew Wiggins, who missed the scrimmage due to illness.

During the opening period Mitchell actually dunked (albeit in the lack of defense). He last dunked in an NBA game during the 2022-23 season while with the Sacramento Kings. Mitchell then dunked again in the second half.

That was followed by a volley of 3-pointers from Adebayo, who played in a pink do-rag.

After the opening period, Antetokounmpo, known for his fascination for dad jokes, found himself in a joke-off with Adebayo.

He was asked by Adebayo, “What did the fast tomato say to the slow tomato?” With Antetokounmpo unable to answer, Adebayo said, “Ketchup.”

Other humor on the night included Nikola Jovic and second-round pick Ryan Conwell attempting to score on Antetokounmpo.

— 2. Meaningful moments: Although teammates also were the opponent Tuesday, a pair of Heat newcomers said the scrimmage still held meaning.

“An opportunity to bring our families, our kids, to be able to see what we do,” Antetokounmpo said. “You just see that a little bit behind the scenes of, like, when Daddy says, ‘I’m going to work,’ what that actually means.”

Said Thompson, “It’s really cool that the fan who might not be able to come to the amount of games they like gets a chance to come see us up close and personal. So it means a great deal for us, and obviously for a great cause.”

— 3. Sitting out: Due to illness, neither Pelle Larsson nor Wiggins were available for the scrimmage, with injured Dru Smith and Keshad Johnson also missing the event.

Despite being sidelined by a strained right hamstring sustained last week in camp, an injury that is expected to have him out for weeks, Johnson did light shooting before the scrimmage.

Johnson is one of three Heat players under two-way contract, the NBA maximum, with teams allowed to swap out two-way contracts at any time without a hit against the salary cap.

Smith sustained a strained right calf during camp and also is expected to be out multiple weeks.

He walked onto the court during the pregame introductions without any type of limited gait.

— 4. As expected: Antetokounmpo did his pre-scrimmage drill work with assistant coach Vin Baker, who accompanied Antetokounmpo from the Bucks this summer.

Malik Allen, the Heat’s long-time big-man coach, handled the pregame drilling with centers Adebayo and Nick Richards.

— 5. New voice: Tuesday marked the first time on the microphone for Gale Nelson as the team’s new public-address announcer.

Nelson replaced long-time Heat voice Michael Baiamonte, who retired following last season.

Nelson was briefly introduced to the crowd prior to the start of the scrimmage, offering a booming presence similar to Baiamonte’s sometimes-over-the-top approach.

Following the introductions, Nelson said of the night’s guests of honor, “Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.”

— 6. Up next: Up next for the Heat is a run of three consecutive home exhibitions, starting with Thursday night’s 7:30 p.m. matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, with a Saturday 8 p.m. exhibition against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves to follow.

The Heat then conclude their five-game preseason schedule with an Oct. 14 home game against the Brooklyn Nets and an Oct. 16 road game against the Orlando Magic.

That all leads to opening night of the regular season on Oct. 21 against the visiting Timberwolves.