The Miami Heat kicked off their NBA Summer League campaign with a 105-98 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks, but not all was lost in their opening game at the Thomas & Mack Center. First-round draft pick Kasparas Jakucionis emerged as a standout player, scoring 24 points, including making his first four 3-pointers. This performance was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles during the California Classic, where he failed to hit a single 3-pointer across three games. Pairing effectively with contributions from Pelle Larsson (16 points) and Javonte Cooke (18 points), who is making a case for a two-way deal, the Heat displayed potential despite the loss.

Erik Spoelstra, along with other coaching staff, was present, praising the newly acquired Norman Powell and highlighting Jakucionis’ development. The Heat's summer roster is now set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers next, with hopes of further building momentum and assessing their young talent in the lead-up to the regular season.