Tyler Herro leads Miami Heat to playoffs with overtime win over Hawks

Miami becomes first 10th-seed to qualify for NBA playoffs via play-in tournament.

Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat reacts after being fouled by Dyson Daniels #5 of the Atlanta Hawks during overtime of the NBA play-in tournament game on April 18, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

When the stakes are high, Tyler Herro shows up. The Miami Heat guard delivered a stellar 30-point performance on Friday night, propelling his team to a 123-114 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA's Eastern Conference play-in clash. With this gritty road victory, Tyler Herro leads Miami Heat to playoffs, marking a historic moment as the team became the first 10th-seeded squad to advance via the play-in format.

This triumph not only capped off a dramatic turnaround for the Heat—who battled through a brutal 10-game losing streak in March—but also earned them a daunting first-round matchup against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.

A historic run through the play-in

The path to the playoffs for Miami was anything but conventional. They began their play-in campaign with a clutch win on the road against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Coming into Atlanta, the Heat knew the stakes. Win, and their playoff hopes remained alive. Lose, and their season would come to a crushing end.

From the opening tip, Miami set the tone. Herro was aggressive early, slicing through the Hawks’ defense and knocking down mid-range jumpers. By halftime, the Heat had built a 17-point lead and entered the break up 62-53.

But as every basketball fan knows, no lead is safe—especially in the playoffs, or in this case, the play-in. The Hawks came storming back in the second half, outscoring Miami and flipping the script. With just over seven minutes to play in regulation, Atlanta took a 91-88 lead. Then came a six-point surge by the Hawks, putting them up 98-92, and for a moment, it looked like Miami might falter.

Herro answers the call

It was at this critical juncture that Tyler Herro leads Miami Heat to playoffs became more than just a headline—it became the reality on the court. Every Atlanta run was met with a Miami response. Herro’s composure under pressure was unmatched. He orchestrated the offense, found open shooters, and drained tough shots.

After a nail-biting final minute in regulation that saw Atlanta’s Trae Young tie the game with a lay-up with just 1.1 seconds on the clock, the contest moved into overtime. That’s when Miami found another gear.

Davion Mitchell, often quiet during regulation, came alive in extra time, sinking three three-pointers. Herro added two more deep shots of his own, including a dagger that pushed the Heat’s lead to double digits and silenced the Atlanta crowd.

"Two competitive teams, fighting for the last spot in the playoffs. That was exactly what you saw. Both teams were deserving. I loved how my team fought," Herro said after the game. "Every single run that they made, we answered. And I feel like this entire season has really built us up for this point."

What awaits Miami in Cleveland

With the win, Miami books a date with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a best-of-seven first-round series starting Sunday. The Cavs enter as strong favorites, boasting the Eastern Conference's best record and a deep, talented roster.

But Miami’s resilience in the face of adversity—highlighted by how Tyler Herro leads Miami Heat to playoffs despite overwhelming odds—should not be underestimated.

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra praised his team’s mentality after the game. “What these guys did over the last few weeks, fighting to get healthy, staying focused, and winning on the road when it mattered most, it says everything you need to know about the culture here,” he said.

Hawks fall short despite big night from Young

On the other side, the Hawks’ season came to a close despite strong individual performances. Trae Young poured in 29 points and added several clutch baskets down the stretch, while Onyeka Okongwu contributed 28 points and 12 rebounds in a breakout showing.

The Hawks showed heart and fought hard, especially in the second half, but fell short in the decisive moments.

Western Conference roundup: Grizzlies grab final spot

While Miami was celebrating in Atlanta, the Western Conference play-in also concluded with the Memphis Grizzlies punching their ticket to the playoffs. Behind Ja Morant’s 22 points and nine assists, the Grizzlies downed the Dallas Mavericks 120-106.

Playing through a sprained ankle, Morant led his squad with poise and energy. “I couldn’t feel it. That’s why I was out there,” he joked postgame. “We know OKC is tough, but we believe in ourselves.”

Memphis now faces the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, who have looked dominant throughout the regular season.

A sour end to Dallas' season

For Dallas, the loss capped off a tumultuous campaign filled with injuries, chemistry issues, and front office drama. After shipping Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers mid-season in a blockbuster deal, the Mavericks never truly recovered.

Anthony Davis, the key acquisition in that trade, battled through nagging injuries to finish with 40 points and nine rebounds. But the effort wasn’t enough.

Now, the Mavericks enter an offseason of uncertainty, while teams like Miami and Memphis gear up for a new battle—one where the margin for error is even smaller.

Miami's confidence moving forward

The Heat know they face long odds in the upcoming series against Cleveland, but confidence is surging in the locker room. The team has already made history as the first 10th seed to reach the playoffs through two road wins in the play-in.

And Tyler Herro leads Miami Heat to playoffs not just by scoring, but by embracing leadership, handling pressure, and delivering when it mattered most.

Whether their journey ends in the first round or continues deeper into May, Miami has already sent a powerful message: count them out at your own risk.