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Inside The Heat

How Pelle Larsson's Emergence Is Helping the Miami Heat Get Going

The former second-round pick is starting to fulfill offseason expectations
Austin Dobbins|
Oct 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) celebrates after dunk against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Isabella Frias-Imagn Images
Oct 30, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Pelle Larsson (9) celebrates after dunk against the Indiana Pacers during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Isabella Frias-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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Miami Heat

Winning player.

That is the best way to describe Pelle Larsson, and it is exactly why his success is so essential to the Miami Heat winning basketball games.

During the poor 0-4 start to Miami's season Larsson was quiet, not making the impact we had come so accustomed to seeing.

But in Miami's two victories, here were Larsson's stats off the bench.

  • 17 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3P), 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, +12 vs. Hawks
  • 18 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 23 minutes: 4/4 2PT, 1/1 3PT, 7/8 FT vs Pacers

Larsson's emergence last season earned him a 4 year contract extension with the Miami Heat and many anticipate that he could be in line for the NBA's sixth man of the year this year. Last year, Larsson averaged 11.4/3.5/3.4 in 26 minutes a night, when he was given extended minutes (30-39) he averaged 14.8/4.8/4.0.

Larsson's performance has not only earned praise from Bam Adebayo, but from Giannis Antetokounmpo as well. They have appeared to have a natural chemistry from the start, which was interrupted a bit when Larsson got sick. But now that he appears healthy, expect to see more two-man actions between them.

“He’s one of the smartest players on the team, He’s going to get to his spots. We’ve got to give him space to operate. And when he gets stuck, his footwork is so elite that he’s going to find the open man.

So you can cut, you can find the open space, and he’s going to deliver you the ball. And that’s what I try to do. I try to play off him because I know there’s going to be times that he’s going to give me the ball”
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Larsson's role on this Heat team as a secondary ball-handler and his ability to run the bench are huge. On a team that lacks playmaking and ball handling, any growth or ability in that field for Larsson would only improve his game.

Larsson also has been part of the Miami Heat's closing lineup as a replacement for Klay Thompson. Larsson's ability to slow the game down by getting to the free throw line, make the right play, and play defense, are crucial in connecting that unit of Davion Mitchell, Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins, and Adebayo.

Larsson's emergence has led to the Heat improving night in and night out, and he is going to be an X-Factor for this team this year.

Miami needs Larsson to be the best version of himself if they want to play into summer. The Heat don't have a lot of assets left to improve the roster, so he will need to plug some holes -- as a cutter, attacker and on most nights, a closer.

As the Heat continue to mesh, they will only get better, and Larsson's impact will loom large.

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Austin Dobbins
AUSTIN DOBBINS

Austin also writes for the Five Reasons Sports Network, covering all South Florida sports. As a current athlete, Austin specializes in in-depth analysis, player profiles, combining on-field knowledge with strong storytelling to cover football, basketball, and beyond. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Business Management at Webber International University. Twitter: @austindobbins13

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