Heat Defeat Hawks in Regular Season Finale

Miami secures 10th seed in the East with win over Atlanta

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.The Heat's home-court advantage and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the high-flying Hawks in the regular season finale.Today in Miami

The Miami Heat defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122-117 in the final game of the NBA regular season. The win secures the Heat a spot in the play-in tournament as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Hawks lock up the 5th seed. Both teams had strong offensive performances, with the Heat's balanced attack and home-court advantage proving to be the difference.

Why it matters

This matchup had significant playoff implications, as the Hawks were looking to lock up the 5th seed while the Heat were fighting to secure a play-in tournament berth. The outcome of this game determined the final seeding in the East, setting the stage for the postseason.

The details

The Heat were led by a balanced scoring effort, with eight players scoring in double figures. Simone Fontecchio and Pelle Larsson each scored 24 points to pace Miami. The Hawks were paced by CJ McCollum's 29 points, while Jalen Johnson recorded another triple-double. The game featured a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, with both teams excelling from the perimeter.

  • The Hawks and Heat last played on Friday, April 10th.
  • This was the final game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season, played on Sunday, April 12th.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' leading scorer, rebounder, and assist man, recording a triple-double in the loss.

CJ McCollum

Veteran Hawks guard who led the team in scoring with 29 points.

Simone Fontecchio

Heat guard who scored a team-high 24 points in the win.

Pelle Larsson

Heat forward who also scored 24 points to pace the Miami offense.

Erik Spoelstra

Heat head coach who guided his team to the victory and a play-in tournament berth.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game with a lot on the line, and I'm proud of the way our guys stepped up and got the job done at home.”

— Erik Spoelstra, Heat Head Coach

“It's disappointing to end the regular season with a loss, but we're excited to be heading to the playoffs as the 5th seed. We'll be ready to make a run.”

— Jalen Johnson, Hawks Forward

What’s next

The Heat will now prepare for the NBA play-in tournament, where they will face the Charlotte Hornets for a chance to earn the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hawks will await their first-round opponent after securing the 5th seed.

The takeaway

This game showcased the high-powered offenses of two of the East's most exciting young teams. While the Heat were able to secure the victory at home, the Hawks proved they will be a tough out in the postseason with their balanced attack and emerging star Jalen Johnson.