New uniform, new number, new home.
Same Giannis Antetokounmpo. And same mean mug.
After 13 glorious years as the face of the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo began the next chapter of his career with the Miami Heat on Oct. 21.
And Antetokounmpo's debut in Miami against the Minnesota Timberwolves was one of his best.
In 30 minutes, he scored 35 points, tying for second-most for a season opener of his career.
Unfortunately for Antetokounmpo, he didn't have much help. And Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards was even better than Antetokounmpo.
Edwards scored 45 points as the visiting Timberwolves routed Antetokounmpo and the Heat, 131-106.
The Miami defense allowed over 30 points each quarter, trailed by 10 at halftime before it got out of hand in the second half. Miami's largest deficit was 30 points in the fourth quarter.
No other player on the Heat had more than 15 points. Antetokounmpo, alone, had 21 points in the first half on 8 of 10 shooting.
His career-high for a season opener came during the 2017-18 and 2025-26 campaigns when he scored 37 points both times. He had 35 to open the Bucks' 2020-21 championship season.
While expectations are high in Miami after acquiring Antetokounmpo, there likely will be growing pains for it to come together.
The organization traded four of its players – Tyler Herro, Kel'el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kasparas Jakučionis, plus their 2026 first-round draft pick – to the Bucks in July for Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. They added veteran Klay Thompson in the offseason as well.
Portis, also part of the Bucks' championship team in 2021 and a fan favorite, had seven points in 25 minutes off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Bucks also lost their season opener, 128-116 to the Washington Wizards.
Giannis highlights
It was vintage Giannis in his season opener for the Heat:
This Giannis transition bucket 😯
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2026
Half-court to the rim in a flash 😳 pic.twitter.com/AbsXbDlmhD
21 FIRST HALF POINTS FOR GIANNIS 😳
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 22, 2026
The Greek Freak DEEP in his bag for his debut in Miami 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1Js63e3qeu
Giannis Antetokounmpo stats
- Minutes: 30
- Points: 35
- Field goals: 13 for 19
- 3Pt: 0 for 2
- FT: 9 for 14
- REB: 6
- AST: 1
- TO: 3
- STL: 1
- BLK: 0
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How did Giannis Antetokounmpo do in debut for Heat? Stats, highlights