On February 20, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Tyler Herro made a triumphant return from a prolonged injury absence, delivering 24 points in an explosive performance that powered the visiting Miami Heat to a commanding 128-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Herro, who had missed 15 consecutive games due to a fractured rib, reentered Miami’s rotation with precision, confidence, and renewed energy, reminding the league why he remains one of the most dynamic scoring guards in the Eastern Conference.

His return marked his first appearance since January 15, ending a frustrating stretch that contributed to 45 total missed games this season, yet his efficient 9-of-14 shooting night served as an emphatic statement that he remains a major offensive threat.

Coming off the bench, Herro added four rebounds and three assists while stabilizing Miami’s second unit, reintegrating seamlessly into the Heat’s pace and rhythm despite the long layoff caused by recurring injuries throughout the season.

The win strengthened Miami’s position as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, extending their cushion to 3.5 games over Atlanta, who remains locked in at the No. 9 spot despite beginning a five-game homestand intended to spark momentum.

Atlanta’s home struggles continued, as the loss dropped the Hawks to 10-16 at State Farm Arena, further complicating their push to climb the standings and maintain playoff entry security during a tightly contested postseason race.

Miami’s supporting cast helped create a balanced attack, with Bam Adebayo contributing 17 points and eight rebounds, while Norman Powell added 15 points in a strong two-way performance that complemented Herro’s scoring outburst.

Each key rotation piece contributed to Miami’s rhythm, allowing the Heat to maintain defensive composure and offensive flow during stretches when Atlanta threatened to reduce the deficit with improved perimeter shooting.

Atlanta was led by a spectacular effort from Jalen Johnson, who produced a remarkable triple-double with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists—his eleventh triple-double of the season, underscoring his continued rise as one of the league’s brightest young stars.

The Hawks also received strong scoring contributions from Onyeka Okongwu, who posted 22 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum each added 20 points in an effort to keep Atlanta competitive against Miami’s surging offense.

Miami struck early by capitalizing on Atlanta’s sluggish start, building a 29-16 lead after the first quarter by disrupting the Hawks’ offensive rhythm and forcing them into a cold shooting performance marked by just 29.2% accuracy from the field.

Atlanta also struggled from beyond the arc, converting just one of eight three-point attempts in the opening frame, allowing Miami to control the pace and establish a double-digit advantage behind Herro’s early scoring spark.

Herro scored eight early points to help Miami extend its lead midway through the first quarter, showcasing a mixture of catch-and-shoot rhythm jumpers, crafty drives, and smooth mid-range finishes that immediately energized the Heat offense.

However, the second quarter brought a different tone, as Atlanta’s shooters suddenly found their rhythm, converting seven of 13 attempts from three-point range to storm back into contention and erase Miami’s early cushion.

The Hawks tied the game at 46-46 following a free throw from Onyeka Okongwu with 2:12 remaining in the second quarter, completing an impressive surge that momentarily stunned Miami and ignited the home crowd.

Despite losing momentum, Miami responded with poise and resilience, outscoring Atlanta 11-5 in the final minutes of the first half to reclaim a 57-51 lead heading into intermission, reasserting control before the break.

In the third quarter, the Heat reestablished their dominance by tightening their defensive rotations and accelerating into transition opportunities, allowing them to build a double-digit lead once again as Atlanta’s offensive consistency faded.

Miami used a crucial 10-0 run midway through the third to regain command of the game, blending sharp ball movement, off-ball screening, and high-level spacing to place continuous pressure on Atlanta’s defense.

The Heat carried an 87-75 advantage into the fourth quarter, largely due to improved execution in defending the Hawks’ perimeter shooters and more composed offensive possessions centered around Herro’s playmaking and Adebayo’s interior presence.

Once the final quarter began, Miami wasted no time sealing the game, opening with an emphatic 11-0 run that effectively eliminated any possibility of an Atlanta comeback and silenced the home crowd for good.

Miami’s superior ball movement, shot selection, and defensive structure across the final 12 minutes helped the Heat balloon their lead to over 30 points, turning the closing stretch into a statement of dominance and renewed confidence.

The Heat’s revitalized chemistry with Herro back in the rotation illustrated how much his presence elevates their offensive versatility, especially when he mixes efficient scoring with on-time passes and disciplined off-ball movement.

Miami now leads the season series 2-1 after winning both matchups played in Atlanta, further emphasizing their matchup advantage heading into the final meeting scheduled in Miami on April 12—the regular-season finale for both teams.

That final game could carry significant postseason implications depending on the tightening Eastern Conference standings, adding extra importance to Miami’s late-season push and Atlanta’s fight to avoid slipping further in the Play-In picture.

Herro’s return also symbolizes more than a single-game victory—it represents another opportunity for the Heat to stabilize a lineup that has battled injuries all season, striving to build consistency and momentum before playoff seeding is finalized.

His scoring, creativity, and late-game shot-making have long been integral to Miami’s offensive identity, and regaining his presence gives Erik Spoelstra and his coaching staff renewed flexibility in constructing effective rotations.

With Herro healthy and contributing efficiently, Miami becomes significantly more dangerous, as his ability to stretch defenses, attack gaps, command defensive attention, and create advantages elevates the entire offense and unlocks spacing for shooters and bigs alike.

As the Heat look forward, Herro’s performance in Atlanta serves as an encouraging reminder that even after extended absences, he remains capable of delivering star-level production when the team needs it most.