Herro's Late Heroics Against Hornets Shouldn't Be Overlooked

As the Heat consider their next moves, Tyler Herro's clutch performance deserves recognition.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:05am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic action on the court.Herro's last-second heroics nearly led the Heat to victory, showcasing his value as the team considers its next steps.Charlotte Today

In the Heat's narrow overtime loss to the Hornets in the play-in tournament, Tyler Herro delivered a clutch scoring burst in the final seconds of overtime, nearly leading Miami to victory. While the Heat ultimately fell short, Herro's heroics should not be overshadowed as the team evaluates its roster and next steps.

Why it matters

Herro's late-game performance highlighted his value to the Heat, even as the team faces questions about potential roster moves like trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. His ability to take over games could be crucial as the Heat look to build around their young core of Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Kel'el Ware.

The details

With the Heat trailing by one in overtime, Herro scored six points in the final 23.5 seconds, nearly stealing the game for Miami. His clutch shooting and playmaking down the stretch showed the 23-year-old's potential to be a go-to scorer for the Heat. While the team ultimately fell short, Herro's heroics were a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing loss.

  • The Heat lost to the Hornets in overtime in the NBA play-in tournament on April 11, 2026.

The players

Tyler Herro

A 23-year-old guard for the Miami Heat who delivered a clutch scoring performance in the team's overtime loss to the Hornets.

Bam Adebayo

The Heat's 25-year-old All-Star center, who is part of the team's young core alongside Herro.

Kel'el Ware

A 20-year-old forward/center drafted by the Heat, who is also part of the team's promising young nucleus.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

The superstar forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, who has been the subject of trade speculation involving the Heat.

Andrew Wiggins

A veteran wing player who could be a key complementary piece if the Heat were to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Tyler Herro showed that when healthy he is big time. I would hate to see him traded. The Heat should build the team around Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Kel'el Ware.”

— Joel, Fan

“If the Heat had held on, if LaMelo Ball had not scored at the end, Tyler's sequence would have gone down as one of the most dramatic in the franchise's 38 seasons.”

— Ira Winderman, Columnist

What’s next

The Heat will need to evaluate their roster and consider potential trades, including the possibility of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo, while also determining how to best build around their young core of Herro, Adebayo, and Ware.

The takeaway

Tyler Herro's late-game heroics against the Hornets demonstrated his immense value to the Heat, even in a losing effort. As the team weighs its next moves, Herro's clutch performance should not be overlooked, as he could be a crucial piece of Miami's future plans.