Giannis Antetokounmpo takes accountability for the Heat's loss in the season opener originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In the 2026 offseason, the Miami Heat made a big addition by trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They added a superstar to a good team, which has made them one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference.
They had a good preseason, but they started the 2026-27 season with a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. As the star player, Giannis has taken accountability for the loss, as he wants to set the tone for the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shoulders the blame for the Heat losing their first game
It was a bad game for the Heat as they lost in a blowout, 131-106. The Timberwolves utterly dominated the game, as Anthony Edwards dominated with 45 points and 10 rebounds. LaMelo Ball supported him with 21 points of his own.
For the Heat, Giannis delivered because he had a 35-point performance. However, the rest of the team struggled to contain the Timberwolves' firepower.
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As the superstar and one of the Heat's leaders, Antetokounmpo has personally taken on the responsibility for the loss. He does not want to see it happen again, which is why he's making sure to speak on the issues from the first loss.
"Our effort gotta be way better. It starts with me; my effort gotta be better. Our effort was not as good as it was in the past. I have to be better; it starts with me. I have to set the tone," Antetokounmpo said after the season opener loss.
With the team's struggles being apparent, Giannis wants to resolve it as soon as possible. The Heat want to compete for the championship, so if they manage to take care of these issues, they will be golden.
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