Miami Heat Struggle Mentally Despite Hot Shooting in Loss to Thunder

The Miami Heat are facing a tough stretch of the 2026 season, with their struggles continuing during a three-game road trip that ended without a single win. On January 11, the Heat fell 124-112 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their third consecutive loss by double digits.

Head Coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t mince words when assessing his team’s performance. While the Heat displayed flashes of offensive brilliance — shooting 54% from the field and 53% from three — the team still came up short, highlighting deeper issues beyond scoring.

“We just have to be overall tougher with everything. Not just physical toughness,” Spoelstra said. “I felt like we brought physical toughness, but the mental toughness when the momentum starts to swing the other way. It doesn’t have to be a 14-2 run. It can be half … We didn’t respond well, but we will get better at that.”

A Promising First Half

Miami actually led 59-54 at halftime, showing glimpses of their potential against a strong Thunder team. But the third quarter quickly turned the tide. Oklahoma City outscored the Heat by 13 points in the period, building a lead that would swell to as much as 20 points in the second half.

Even with a strong shooting night, Miami couldn’t maintain control. The Thunder’s experience and depth proved decisive, forcing the Heat to empty their bench at the end of the game in a bid to stem the margin.

Injuries and Offensive Struggles

The absence of Heat guard Norman Powell, who was ruled out with lower back soreness before the game, was felt keenly. Other players were unable to fully compensate for his missing production.

Bam Adebayo, enduring one of the coldest scoring streaks of his career, managed only six points on 3-of-10 shooting. It marked a season-low for Adebayo in a healthy appearance and emphasized the Heat’s reliance on him as a centerpiece.

Fortunately for Miami, Andrew Wiggins stepped up, leading the team with 23 points, including 7-of-10 shooting from three-point range. His performance ensured that Miami remained competitive offensively, even if the team ultimately couldn’t close the gap.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his impressive season with 29 points and eight assists, while Jalen Williams added 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Their performance underscores the challenge Miami faces when trying to slow down high-scoring, cohesive teams.

A Deflating Road Trip

The Heat’s three-game road stretch ended 0-3, with losses to Oklahoma City, Indiana, and Minnesota resulting in a combined deficit of 64 points. Road trips can be grueling for any team, but Miami’s inability to secure a single win despite high-level shooting and effort underscores persistent issues with consistency and in-game adjustments.

Spoelstra, however, remains optimistic. “We know we have a very important week,” he said. “This road trip didn’t go the way we wanted it to, for a lot of different factors. We have a great opportunity this week at home. Three good, competitive opponents.”

The Heat will return to the Kaseya Center for a home stretch against the Phoenix Suns, Boston Celtics, and a rematch with the Thunder. Spoelstra believes that securing one or two wins against these playoff-caliber teams could help Miami regain rhythm and confidence.

Players Look to Build Momentum

Pelle Larsson emphasized the importance of focusing on positives and improving execution moving forward. “Just realize all the good things we did today and carry that on,” Larsson said. “Obviously, we wanna keep scoring more points, so we gotta run more, take care of the ball more, and get stops.”

Even during losses, maintaining energy and execution can help the Heat recover quickly in upcoming games, particularly during a stretch of home contests where familiar surroundings and crowd support can provide an advantage.

Shooting Success, But Still Falling Short

Ironically, the Heat’s offensive performance against the Thunder was historic — though not in the way the team would hope. This was the first Miami game since 1991 in which the Heat lost by double digits while shooting over 50% from three-point range and holding their opponent under 30% from beyond the arc.

Miami shot 54% from the field and 53% from three-point territory, marking their highest three-point percentage of the season. Their efficient shooting night proves that scoring alone is not enough; defensive lapses, mental toughness, and momentum management remain critical areas for improvement.

Looking Ahead

The Heat face a crucial week at home, offering a chance to reset and build momentum. Key players such as Adebayo, Wiggins, and Herro will need to contribute consistently, while role players must continue to provide support.

Spoelstra’s focus on mental toughness and team cohesion will be critical. If Miami can maintain energy during swings in momentum and capitalize on home-court advantages, the team may begin to turn their season around.

While the three-game road trip ended winless, the Heat’s shooting success against Oklahoma City suggests potential that can be unlocked with better in-game adjustments and execution. As Spoelstra put it, “We didn’t respond well, but we will get better at that.”

For now, the focus is on regrouping, leveraging the home stretch, and translating efficiency into wins — because as this game demonstrated, shooting alone won’t carry the Miami Heat back to the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference.