Giannis takes over: 24 and 18 as Miami finally gets its first win

The Miami Heat’s first win of the season inevitably carried the signature of Giannis Antetokounmpo. In the 129-117 road win over the Atlanta Hawks, the Greek star finished with 24 points and 18 rebounds, imposing his physicality in a game Miami simply could not afford to lose.

After four straight defeats and days of criticism surrounding the Heat’s new-look roster, Giannis answered in the simplest possible way: by dominating. Miami started fast, controlled the game and consistently punished Atlanta inside.

It was not the flashiest performance of Antetokounmpo’s career, but it may have been one of the most important of Miami’s young season. The Heat needed a win to ease the pressure, and Giannis did exactly what he was brought to Florida to do: take control when the margin for error gets smaller.