Heat Players Reveal Team's Main Goal: Avoiding Play-in Tournament

Norman Powell and Tyler Herro admit Miami is focused on securing a top-6 seed to bypass the play-in tournament

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Miami Heat players Norman Powell and Tyler Herro have revealed that the team's main goal this season is to avoid having to participate in the NBA's play-in tournament. The Heat have made the play-in for the past three seasons, but are now determined to finish in the top 6 of the Eastern Conference standings to automatically qualify for the playoffs. Coach Erik Spoelstra has also emphasized this goal to the team, with Herro and veteran Bam Adebayo being especially motivated to move up in the standings.

Why it matters

Making the playoffs directly rather than having to go through the play-in tournament is a key priority for the Heat, who have struggled at times this season but are now healthier and looking to build momentum. Avoiding the play-in would give the team more rest and preparation time before the postseason, which could be crucial for their championship aspirations.

The details

The Heat currently sit in 7th place in the East at 31-27, just behind the 6th-place Philadelphia 76ers. With 24 games left, Miami is focused on stacking up wins to move up the standings and secure a top-6 seed. The team has won 3 straight games, including a 136-120 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday where Powell scored 25 points. Herro, who recently returned from injury, said Spoelstra constantly reminds the players about the importance of avoiding the play-in.

  • The Heat have made the play-in tournament for the past 3 seasons.
  • Miami is currently 31-27 and in 7th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
  • The Heat have won 3 straight games, including a victory over the Grizzlies on February 22, 2026.

The players

Norman Powell

A veteran guard for the Miami Heat who has been vocal about the team's goal of avoiding the play-in tournament.

Tyler Herro

A key scorer for the Heat who recently returned from injury and is also focused on the team finishing in the top 6 of the East.

Erik Spoelstra

The head coach of the Miami Heat, who has emphasized to the team the importance of securing a direct playoff berth.

Bam Adebayo

A veteran player for the Heat who, along with Herro, has the most experience with the play-in tournament and is motivated to avoid it this season.

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What they’re saying

“We want to get out of the play-in. So we're locked into it, we know what we need to do obviously...Nobody's gonna come help us. It's all on us, controlling what we can control as a team...putting our best foot and best effort forward to give us a chance to get out of that.”

— Norman Powell (ClutchPoints)

“Yeah, our coach talks about it every day. We as players, mainly me and Bam, who've been here, we want to get out of the play-in. That's our goal, and that's our first goal. We got a lot of goals.”

— Tyler Herro (ClutchPoints)

What’s next

The Heat will look to continue their winning streak on a two-game road trip starting Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their position in the standings will be crucial to monitor as they push to secure a top-6 seed and avoid the play-in tournament.

The takeaway

The Miami Heat are laser-focused on finishing the regular season strong and avoiding the play-in tournament, which they have had to participate in for the past three seasons. With the team now healthier, they are determined to control their own destiny and earn a direct playoff berth, a goal that has been emphasized by both the players and head coach Erik Spoelstra.