Heat Become Lowest Seed to Make NBA Playoffs Following Play-In Tournament Run

The Miami Heat are the first No. 10 seed to qualify for the playoffs since the play-in tournament began.

Miami Heat guard Herro and head coach Spoelstra ask for a replay against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at United Center. | David Banks-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat became the first No. 10 seed to advance to the playoffs from the play-in tournament since it became official for each conference's No. 7 through No. 10 seeds for the 2021 playoffs.

With a 123-114 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Heat clinched the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot and advance as the East's No. 8 seed for a date with the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyler Herro led Miami with 30 points Friday in Atlanta, including two three-pointers in the overtime period. Davion Mitchell drained three threes for the Heat in overtime, finishing with 16 points on the night.

Miami finished the regular season eight games under .500, but still found a way into the playoffs after two road wins in a row in the play-in. On Wednesday, the Heat routed the Chicago Bulls in the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game to keep their season alive.

The Miami Heat are now the first 10-seed in NBA history to make the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/pjffGazWEC

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 19, 2025

Since the play-in tournament began, three No. 9 seeds advanced to the playoffs, but Miami becomes the first No. 10 seed to accomplish the feat. In 2022, the New Orleans Pelicans advanced to the playoffs after they finished the regular season 10 games under .500, but they entered the play-in as the Western Conference's No. 9 seed.

The Heat will tip off their first-round series with the Cavs on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.

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