Andrew Wiggins and the Miami Heat will visit the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, April 18, for a play-in tournament clash for the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot. A day ahead of the win-or-go-home contest, the one-time All-Star appears good to go, as he’s not listed on Miami’s injury report.
Will Andrew Wiggins Play in Miami Heat’s Crucial Play-In Matchup?
After finishing the regular season 10th in the East (37-45), the Heat needed two play-in victories to secure the eighth seed and advance to the postseason. They took care of business during Wednesday’s road showdown against the ninth-placed Chicago Bulls (39-43) on April 16, dispatching the young squad 109-90.
Miami led wire to wire, with its lead ballooning as high as 25 points in the first half. Star shooting guard Tyler Herro led the way, tallying a game-high 38 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three 3-pointers, shooting 13-for-19 (68.4%).
Meanwhile, Wiggins chipped in 20 points, nine rebounds, two steals, two blocks, and four 3s, shooting 8-for-20 (40%), making his two-way presence felt. His strong showing came after he missed seven of his previous nine games due to a hamstring issue.
Herro, Wiggins, and the rest of the Heat’s starters (Alec Burks, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware) are all listed as available entering Friday. However, reserves Kevin Love (personal), Pelle Larsson (ankle), and Nikola Jović (hand) are considered questionable.
Miami will face an Atlanta squad that finished the regular season eighth in the East (40-42). The Hawks got blown out 120-95 during their Tuesday, April 15, road battle against the Orlando Magic, with the conference’s seventh seed at stake. Magic sparkplug guard Cole Anthony recorded a team-best 26 points, six assists and four triples, shooting 10-for-17 (58.8%) off the bench.
Atlanta wasn’t able to put up a fight despite star point guard Trae Young’s game-high 28-point performance, as Orlando received a well-rounded team effort.
The winner of Friday’s contest between the Heat and Hawks will take on the East’s No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18) in Round 1 of the playoffs. Conversely, the loser will be eliminated from postseason contention.
How Has Wiggins Fared Against the Hawks This Season?
Miami matched up against Atlanta four times this season, splitting their season series 2-2. Wiggins, acquired from the Golden State Warriors in a Feb. 6 trade deadline deal, played in three of those contests. He also faced the Hawks once as a Warrior.
Across four outings against Atlanta, the 11-year veteran averaged 20.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 2.5 3s per game, shooting 49.1%.
Wiggins is seeking to lock up his fourth playoff berth, with his last coming in 2023 with Golden State.
