Miami Heat vs Atlanta Hawks NBA 24-25: The Hawks vs. Heat Play-In game will be the first of two matchups on Friday, April 18. It will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and air live on TNT and truTV. The Southeast Division tension simmers at full boil as the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks face off in a win-or-go-home battle for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. The hardwood showdown is set in Atlanta, where the Hawks earned home-court rights by finishing the regular season three wins ahead of Miami. Tip-off brings more than just pride—victory grants the right to challenge the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round.
Miami enters Friday night’s battle riding the momentum of a decisive win over the Bulls in a play-in elimination game, while Atlanta is licking its wounds from a 25-point blowout loss to Orlando. But in a matchup where both teams split the regular season 2-2—and where every game was won by the home side—tonight's venue could tip the scales.

| Date | Result | Winner High | Loser High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27 | Miami 122, Atlanta 112 | Herro – 36 pts | Young – 29 pts |
| Feb 26 | Miami 131, Atlanta 109 | Robinson – 24 pts | Daniels – 18 pts |
| Feb 24 | Atlanta 98, Miami 86 | Okongwu – 17 pts | Wiggins – 23 pts |
| Dec 28 | Atlanta 120, Miami 110 | Johnson – 28 pts | Herro – 28 pts |
| Category | Atlanta | Miami |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Trae Young – 24.2 | Tyler Herro – 23.9 |
| Rebounds | Onyeka Okongwu – 8.9 | Bam Adebayo – 9.6 |
| Assists | Trae Young – 11.6 | Tyler Herro – 5.5 |
| Steals | Dyson Daniels – 3.01 | Bam Adebayo – 1.26 |
| Blocks | Onyeka Okongwu – 0.92 | Kel’el Ware – 1.11 |
| FG% | Okongwu – 56.73% | Adebayo – 48.52% |
| 3PT% | Vit Krejci – 43.69% | Alec Burks – 42.51% |
| FT% | Young – 87.52% | Herro – 87.77% |
Points per Game: 118.2
Field Goal %: 47.24%
Three-Point %: 35.84%
Strategy: Fast-paced offense with heavy reliance on Young’s distribution. Role players space the floor with respectable shooting.
X-Factor: If Young stays composed and Okongwu dominates the boards, Atlanta controls the tempo.
Points per Game: 110.6
Field Goal %: 46.48%
Three-Point %: 36.73%
Strategy: Grit-and-grind defense with Herro as the lead offensive threat. Bam's presence anchors both ends.
X-Factor: Herro’s scoring streak and Miami’s improved ball movement have made them lethal in spurts.
| Team | Record | East Rank | Home Record | Road Record | Division | Point Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 40-42 | 8th | 21-19 | 19-22 | 10-6 | -1.1 |
| Miami | 37-45 | 9th | 19-22 | 17-23 | 10-6 | +0.6 |
Atlanta’s Streak: Won 3
Miami’s Streak: Lost 1
Miami’s resurgence behind Herro’s red-hot form could be the difference-maker. He torched Atlanta twice at home and now brings that rhythm into enemy territory.
The Hawks have owned their home court against the Heat all year, but they’ll be without Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter—both major contributors in early-season wins.
Miami coach Erik Spoelstra believes his team has “turned a corner” and views the Heat’s recent momentum as more than a fluke.
Trae Young must bounce back emotionally and statistically after his frustrating outing against Orlando. Snyder has called for leadership—this is his moment.
The Southeast’s final ticket to the dance will be stamped tonight, and the winner earns the daunting reward of facing the East’s top seed. Still, for both the Heat and Hawks, redemption and resurrection are at stake. Miami is starting to click at the right time, with Herro’s offensive explosion reminding fans of past playoff magic. Atlanta, meanwhile, is banking on home dominance and Trae’s swagger to get them through.
When Southeast rivals clash, expect the unexpected—but count on fireworks. One will rise to face Cleveland. The other’s season ends under the weight of “what ifs.”