This Miami Heat team seemed like a total wild card headed into the season. So it should come as no surprise that we've had plenty of unexpected developments through the first month of the season, not the least of which being how Pelle Larsson's strong play has been driving success for the team.
Larsson has started 11 of Miami's first 14 games this season, and has been getting on the floor consistently, averaging 21.8 minutes per game. As of this writing, the Heat have a record of 5-2 when Larsson scores 10 or more points, as well as just a 3-4 record when he fails to hit double digits. This is a clear indicator that his production is correlating with the team's success.
Heat fans have been thrilled to see Larsson provide big value as an offensive connector as well as a defensive stalwart that hustles his tail off. For the first three games of the season, Pelle only played a combined 17 minutes. Since then there hasn't been a game that he hasn't hit at least 24 minutes. In classic Miami Heat style, it was the hustle and energy he brought to the floor that made Erik Spoelstra unable to continue sitting him.
Pelle Larsson gives Miami that much more depth
On the defensive side of things, Larsson has used his frame very effectively, making the right reads and playing with high energy. He fits in perfectly on a roster and in a system designed for switchable defenders who compete every single possession. On offense, Pelle is putting up very impressive shooting splits of 53.8% from the floor, 38.6% from three point range, and 80.6% from the free throw line, averaging 10.1 points per night.
With Tyler Herro yet to suit up this season and with Bam Adebayo sidelined for the last two weeks, Miami has needed internal growth, and several young guys have been stepping up. Heat fans have seen Larsson quickly blossom into a reliable defender and stabilizing force offensively. This was never the expectation for the 44th pick in the 2024 NBA draft class.
He is clearly the kind of undervalued find that the Heat seem to end up with time after time, but not many expected him to develop this quickly. Larsson's rise to the forefront serves as an encouragement for what the rest of Miami's season might look like.
Larsson reaching another level gives this team another added element of depth and versatility to give them a boost once Herro and Adebayo back in the picture. The national outlets might not have been talking about the Heat as a top-six playoff threat in the preseason, but guys like Larsson stepping up might change that narrative in a hurry.