A lot has happened in the past 12 months of Miami Heat basketball: An unprecedented Finals run; one of the biggest upsets in NBA playoffs history; an ECF Game 7; trade rumors; hand injuries; slumps and evolutions; and so much more. Amid the ups, downs and unexpected, there were some standout performances that reflect the Heat’s year. Here are All U Can Heat’s best performances of 2023.
Honorable mention: Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s Christmas Day announcement
For a rookie to score 31 points and lead the Miami Heat to a primetime win over the Philadelphia 76ers is hugely impressive. This was the biggest game of Jaquez’s career, and he was starting in place of the injured Jimmy Butler. Had it come against a Sixers team with their best player (Joel Embiid was also sidelined for this game), then Jaquez’s Christmas Day eruption probably ranks higher on this list. Still, the rookie cracks the top six for a team that just made the NBA Finals. Impressive.
Revisit: Jaime Jaquez Jr. on career night in Christmas win: ‘Definitely special’