Erik Spoelstra’s message to Heat ahead of 4th straight play-in appearance

MIAMI – With the Miami Heat facing the Atlanta Hawks in the final game of the 2025-26 regular season, the team is also preparing for its fourth straight play-in tournament. As the Heat look to enter the play-in tournament with momentum, head coach Erik Spoelstra has one final message for the team before the regular-season finale.

While Miami knows it’ll have to get through the play-in tourney to contend for the NBA Playoffs, the team still doesn’t know its seeding, one that will be figured out on Sunday night. If Miami loses on Sunday against the Hawks, they will finish at the 10th seed for the second straight year.

However, if the team wins and the Charlotte Hornets lose to the New York Knicks, then the Heat will move up one spot to the ninth and host the first play-in tournament game on Tuesday or Wednesday. However, with the Knicks locked at the third seed, the team is expected to sit many of their stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and others.

As the 10th seed looks more and more likely, this would mean that Miami will once again have to play on the road in the play-in tournament, with each of the two contests a win-or-go-home scenario. If there is one thing for certain, the team will take on the Hornets in the first outing.

There’s no denying the disappointment the Heat have in making the play-in tournament for the fourth straight year, but the team can’t go back in the past, with a new mindset in place.

“We’re here, and now we just have to make the most of this. There’s no other way, other than just to absolutely go for it,” Spoelstra said to ClutchPoints.

Asked Erik Spoelstra that besides the disappointment of reaching play-in again, what opportunity can a game like tonight and the play-in provide: #Heat

“We're here, and now we we just have to make the most of this. There's no other way other than just to absolutely go for it…” pic.twitter.com/GdUMsjicon

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) April 12, 2026

The Heat’s ‘harrowing’ journey back to the play-in tournament

The Heat need to overcome its woes as soon as possible with the play-in tournament right around the corner, as the team has lost 10 of its last 14 games, though the team is coming off a dominating 140-117 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday. Still, Spoelstra would say how it’s “harrowing” that they’re once again in the play-in tournament.

“It’s harrowing,” Spoelstra said Friday. “We say it every year that we’ve been in there, you don’t want to be in there. But that’s sometimes the path you have to take.”

Miami is also hoping that it could be healthy for the most important games of the season, with most of the rotation available for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Hawks. However, Pelle Larsson is out for the contest with a right lower leg contusion, as he sustained the injury during the Wizards’ win. Spoelstra labeled him “day-to-day,” saying it’s a “good sign.”

“He’ll get as much treatment as he can, you know, he’s day to day. So that’s a good sign. But yes, it happened during the game,” Spoelstra said to ClutchPoints.

Asked Erik Spoelstra about an update on Pelle Larsson’s lower leg contusion and what his outlook looks like.

Injured during the Wizards game, will he day to day. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/rRF58IQ9pL

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) April 12, 2026

At any rate, it remains to be seen if the Heat finish once again at the 10th seed or move up one spot to at least host the first play-in tournament against the Hornets on either Tuesday or Thursday.

Despite making the play-in tourney for the fourth straight season, the team will look to make the most of the opportunity and contend for the playoffs. If they were to become the second team to be 10th and get out of the tourney and into the playoffs, which they did last season, then Miami would take on the No. 1 seeded Detrout Pistons.

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