Miami Heat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Miami Heat
Conference	Eastern
Division	Southeast
Founded	1988
History	Miami Heat 1988–present
Arena	Kaseya Center
Location	Miami, Florida
Team colors	Black, red, yellow
Main sponsor	Robinhood
CEO	Nick Arison
President	Pat Riley
General manager	Andy Elisburg
Head coach	Erik Spoelstra
Ownership	Micky Arison
Affiliation(s)	Sioux Falls Skyforce
Championships	3 (2006, 2012, 2013)
Conference titles	7 (2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2020, 2023)
Division titles	16 (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023)
Retired numbers	7 (1, 3, 10, 23, 32, 33, 40)
Association Icon Statement

The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team from Miami, Florida. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Eastern Conference. The team's home games are at the Kaseya Center. The Heat has won three NBA championships.

The team started playing in the 1988–89 season. After some early struggles, the Heat became a strong team in the mid-1990s. This happened when Pat Riley became their president and coach. He brought in star players like Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. These players helped the Heat reach the NBA playoffs and win division titles.

In 2003, the Heat drafted Dwyane Wade, a future superstar. With Wade and Shaquille O'Neal, the Heat won their first NBA title in 2006. Later, in 2010, the team added LeBron James and Chris Bosh. These three stars, known as the "Big Three", led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals. They won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

After the "Big Three" era, the Heat rebuilt their team. They found success again with All-Star Jimmy Butler in 2019. With new talents like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, the Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. Jimmy Butler was traded in early 2025.

The Heat also hold the NBA's third-longest winning streak, with 27 straight wins in the 2012–13 season. Many famous players, including seven Hall of Famers, have played for the team.

Team History and Achievements

Starting Strong: The Early Years (1988-1995)

In 1987, the NBA decided to add new teams, and Miami was chosen for one of them. The team, called the Miami Heat, started playing in November 1988. In their first eight years, the Heat struggled a bit. They only made it to the playoffs twice and lost in the first round both times. Before the Heat, Miami had another basketball team called the Miami Floridians from 1968 to 1972.

Becoming a Strong Team (1995-2003)

Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning helped make the Heat serious contenders in the Eastern Conference in the late 1990s.

In 1995, Micky Arison bought the team. He hired Pat Riley as the team's president and head coach. Riley made big changes, bringing in star players like Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. These players helped turn the Heat into a team that could compete for championships.

In the 1996–97 season, the Heat had an amazing record of 61 wins and 21 losses. This was a team record at the time. They were even called "Road Warriors" because they won so many games away from home. Mourning and Hardaway led the Heat to their first conference finals, where they played against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. The Heat lost that series. During this time, the New York Knicks were a big rival, often beating the Heat in the playoffs. After a few successful years, the team had some tough seasons, missing the playoffs in 2002 and 2003.

The Dwyane Wade Era Begins (2003-2016)

In the 2003 NBA Draft, the Heat picked Dwyane Wade, a talented shooting guard. Before the 2003–04 season, Pat Riley stepped down as coach, and Stan Van Gundy took over. With Wade playing great in his first year, the Heat made it to the 2004 playoffs. They won their first series but lost in the second round.

Later, the Heat made a huge trade to get Shaquille O'Neal, a famous center, from the Los Angeles Lakers. Alonzo Mourning also returned to the team. With these stars, Miami became a top team, finishing with 59 wins. They reached the conference finals again, but lost to the Detroit Pistons in a tough seven-game series.

First Championship Win (2005-2006)

Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade brought the Heat their first NBA Championship in 2006.

In 2005, the Heat added experienced players like Gary Payton. After a slow start to the 2005–06 season, Pat Riley became the head coach again. The Heat reached the conference finals and beat the Pistons. This led them to their first-ever NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Mavericks won the first two games, but the Heat made an amazing comeback. They won the next four games in a row to win their first NBA championship! Dwyane Wade was named the Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player) for his incredible performance.

Post-Championship Challenges (2006-2010)

The Heat faced some tough years after winning the championship. In the 2007–08 season, Dwyane Wade was injured, and the team had a very difficult record of 15 wins and 67 losses. Shaquille O'Neal was traded during this time. Pat Riley stepped down as coach but stayed as team president. Erik Spoelstra, a long-time assistant, became the new head coach. With Wade healthy again, the Heat made the playoffs in 2009 and 2010, but lost in the first round both times. Wade was the NBA's top scorer in 2009 and the All-Star Game MVP in 2010.

The "Big Three" Era (2010-2014)

The "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh led the Heat to four consecutive Finals appearances and two NBA Championships.

In 2010, the Heat made huge news by signing two superstar players: LeBron James and Chris Bosh. They joined Dwyane Wade to form the famous "Big Three". This created a very powerful team. After a slow start, the team improved greatly and finished with 58 wins.

In the 2011 playoffs, the Heat won against the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls. They reached the 2011 NBA Finals again, playing against the Dallas Mavericks. Even though they led the series 2-1, the Heat lost the next three games and the championship.

After an NBA lockout, the Heat signed Shane Battier. In the 2011–12 season, the Heat started strong. They finished with 46 wins and 20 losses. In the 2012 playoffs, they beat the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers. They then faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. After a tough series, the Heat won Game 7 and advanced to the NBA Finals.

In the 2012 NBA Finals, the Heat played against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami won the series 4-1, and LeBron James earned his first NBA championship and was named Finals MVP.

In the 2012–13 season, the Heat signed Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. They went on an amazing 27-game winning streak! The Heat finished with a franchise-best 66 wins and were the top team in the East. They swept the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2013 playoffs. They then beat the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers to reach the 2013 NBA Finals.

In the Finals, they played the San Antonio Spurs. It was a very close series. In Game 6, Ray Allen hit a clutch three-pointer to force overtime, which the Heat won. Miami then won Game 7, securing their second straight NBA championship! LeBron James was again named Finals MVP.

The 2013–14 season was challenging with injuries to Dwyane Wade. However, the "Big Three" were healthy for the 2014 playoffs. The Heat swept the Charlotte Bobcats and beat the Brooklyn Nets. They then defeated the Indiana Pacers for the third year in a row. This sent them to their fourth consecutive 2014 NBA Finals, where they faced the Spurs again. This time, the Heat lost the series 4-1.

Rebuilding the Team (2014-2016)

On July 11, 2014, LeBron James announced he was leaving the Heat to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh stayed in Miami. The team focused on rebuilding, bringing in new players like Luol Deng and Goran Dragić.

The 2014–15 season was tough due to many injuries, including to Chris Bosh. The Heat finished with a 37–45 record and missed the playoffs. This was the first time in six seasons they did not qualify.

In the 2015 NBA Draft, the Heat selected Justise Winslow. In the 2015–16 season, the Heat had a 48–34 record. They made it to the Conference Semifinals but lost to the Toronto Raptors. After this season, Dwyane Wade left the Heat due to disagreements about his contract.

New Beginnings and Wade's Return (2016-2019)

On July 6, 2016, Dwyane Wade announced he was leaving the Heat to play for his hometown Chicago Bulls. In September 2016, Chris Bosh failed his physical exam due to health issues. The team announced that his career with the Heat was over. His jersey number was later retired to honor his contributions.

The Heat drafted Bam Adebayo in 2017. On February 8, 2018, Dwyane Wade returned to the Heat after playing for the Cavaliers. Wade helped the Heat win a playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers, but they lost the series. Wade retired after the 2018–19 season. Bosh's and Wade's jerseys were retired in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

The Jimmy Butler Era (2019-2025)

Jimmy Butler led the Heat during deep playoff runs in the early 2020s.

In the 2019–20 season, Miami acquired All-Star Jimmy Butler, Andre Iguodala, and Jae Crowder. They also drafted Tyler Herro. After the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Heat played in the "NBA Bubble" in Orlando. The fifth-seeded Heat had a great playoff run, winning their sixth conference championship. They met LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals, losing in six games.

After a short break, the Heat struggled in the 2020–21 season. They finished as the sixth seed and were swept by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. In the 2021 off-season, the Heat acquired veteran players Kyle Lowry and P.J. Tucker.

The Heat bounced back in the 2021–22 season, finishing as the top team in the Eastern Conference. They defeated the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs. They then faced the Boston Celtics in the conference finals but lost in a close Game 7.

In the 2022–23 season, the Heat finished as the seventh seed and had to play in the play-in tournament. They lost their first play-in game but won the second to enter the 2023 NBA playoffs as the eighth seed. They surprised everyone by defeating the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in five games. They then beat the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics to reach the NBA Finals. As only the second eighth seed to reach the Finals, they faced the Denver Nuggets and lost in five games.

Over the next two seasons, the Heat faced challenges. In the 2023–24 season, they finished as the 8th seed again and lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round. Issues arose with Jimmy Butler, and he was traded to the Golden State Warriors in early 2025. This gave other players, like Tyler Herro, more chances to shine. Herro made his first All-Star Game that season.

Team Uniforms

Classic Uniforms (1988–1999)

The first Miami Heat uniforms, used from 1988 to 1999, had simple stripes on one side. The home uniforms were white with red, black, and orange colors. The away uniforms were black with red, white, and orange. The team's original "flaming ball" logo was on the shorts.

In the 1995–96 season, a red alternate uniform was added. These classic uniforms have been brought back as "throwback" uniforms in later seasons. For example, the black 1988–99 uniforms were worn in the 2017–18 season.

Modern Uniforms (1999–Present)

The Heat's current uniforms have been used since the 1999–2000 season. These uniforms have stripes on both sides and use yellow instead of orange. The lettering and numbers were updated, and a new "flaming ball" logo was added to the shorts.

A red alternate uniform was introduced in the 2001–02 season. These uniforms are still used today with small changes. With Nike as the uniform provider since 2017–18, the white uniforms are called "Association," the black are "Icon," and the red are "Statement." All three can be worn for home or away games.

Special Uniforms and Designs

The Heat has worn many special uniforms over the years.

• Noche Latina: From 2008 to 2016, they wore uniforms with "El Heat" (Spanish for "The Heat") for Latin Nights.
• Championship Editions: Gold accents were added to uniforms for opening nights after winning championships in 2012 and 2013.
• Nickname Jerseys: In 2013–14, players wore uniforms with their nicknames on the back.
• Monochrome Sets: All-black, all-white, and all-red uniforms were used from 2011 to 2014.
• Holiday Games: Special uniforms were worn for Christmas Day games, including "Big Color" and "Big Logo" designs.
• Miami Floridians Throwbacks: The Heat honored the old Miami Floridians team with throwback jerseys.
• Miami Vice City Editions: Starting in 2017–18, the Heat wore popular "City" uniforms inspired by the 1980s TV show Miami Vice. These came in white, black, pink, and light blue.
• Mixed Uniforms: In 2021–22, "City" uniforms mixed different styles from the team's history.
• HEAT Culture: The 2023–24 "City" uniform featured "HEAT Culture" to represent the team's values. A red version was used in 2024–25, but the white "Miami Vice" uniform was brought back as a temporary substitute.
• Yellow Uniforms: The 2021 "Earned" uniform was the first time the team used yellow as a main color.

Team Rivalries

New York Knicks

The rivalry between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat became intense in the late 1990s. They played against each other in the playoffs four years in a row, and each series went to seven games. Pat Riley was a key figure, as he coached both teams. Players like Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning were friends from college but rivals on the court.

Chicago Bulls

The rivalry with the Chicago Bulls started in the 1990s when the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, dominated the league. The Heat were eliminated by the Bulls three times during that period. The rivalry became strong again in the 2010s with stars like Derrick Rose for the Bulls and the "Big Three" for the Heat.

These games were often very physical. The Bulls famously ended the Heat's 27-game winning streak in 2013. The teams met again in the 2013 playoffs, with many fouls and arguments between players. The Heat and Bulls also faced each other in the Play-In Tournament in 2023 and 2024, with the Heat winning both times.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat have a rivalry because both teams are in Florida. This is known as the "Sunshine State rivalry." It was exciting in the 1990s with stars like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway for Orlando, and Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway for Miami. They met in the 1997 playoffs, with Miami winning.

The rivalry grew stronger in the 2000s and early 2010s with Dwyane Wade for Miami and Dwight Howard for Orlando. When Dwight Howard left the Magic in 2012, the rivalry became less intense, but competition still remains.

Boston Celtics

The Heat and Boston Celtics first met in the playoffs in 2010. The Celtics won that series. This loss motivated Dwyane Wade to say it would be his last first-round exit for a while. LeBron James also had a strong dislike for the Celtics from his time with the Cavaliers.

When James and Chris Bosh joined Wade in 2010, the Heat challenged the Celtics for control of the Eastern Conference. They met in the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals, where the Heat won. The rivalry continued in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, a very intense series that went to seven games. James had an amazing performance in Game 6, and the Heat eventually won Game 7 to reach the NBA Finals.

After that season, Ray Allen left the Celtics to join the Heat, which added more fuel to the rivalry. From 2020 to 2023, the Heat and Celtics played each other in the Eastern Conference Finals three times. The Heat won two of those series. In 2024, they met in the first round, but the Heat were without Jimmy Butler, and the Celtics won the series and later the championship.

Indiana Pacers

A rivalry with the Indiana Pacers started in the 2012 NBA playoffs. The series was very physical, with many fouls and arguments between players. Miami's Chris Bosh was injured, but LeBron James and Dwyane Wade led the Heat to win the series.

The rivalry continued in the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. Again, it was a very physical series with many intense moments. The Heat won a tough Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals. In the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat and Pacers met again. The Heat eliminated the Pacers to reach their fourth straight NBA Finals.

Dallas Mavericks

The Heat–Mavericks rivalry began in the 2006 NBA Finals. Both teams were making their first Finals appearance. The Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki, won the first two games. However, the Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, made a comeback and won the next four games to claim their first championship. Wade was named Finals MVP.

In 2011, the Heat, with their "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, met the Mavericks again in the 2011 NBA Finals. The Heat were expected to win, but the Mavericks surprised everyone. After taking a 2-1 lead, the Heat lost the next three games and the championship. This loss was a big disappointment for LeBron James.

The Mavericks never won another game against the Heat after that Finals. The rivalry continued with strong feelings between the teams and their owners.

Season-by-season record

List of the last five seasons completed by the Heat. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Miami Heat seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Home Arenas

Kaseya Center prior to a Miami Heat game during the 2024–25 season.

Radio and Television

The Heat's games are broadcast on radio in English on WAXY (790 AM) and in Spanish on WQBA (1140 AM).

Heat games are mainly shown on TV by FanDuel Sports Network Sun. Eric Reid has been with the Heat's broadcasting team since the beginning. For many years, Heat games were also shown on local TV stations like WBFS-TV. Since 2004–05, FanDuel Sports Network Sun has been the main channel for Heat games in the South Florida area.

Sometimes, Heat games are shown nationally on channels like TNT, ESPN, or ABC.

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Basketball Hall of Famers

FIBA Hall of Famers

Retired Numbers

The Heat have retired seven jersey numbers to honor important players. Six of these players played for the Heat. Michael Jordan's number 23 was retired by the Heat even though he never played for them. This was a tribute to his amazing career.

The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all teams on August 11, 2022.

Head Coaches

The Miami Heat has had six head coaches. Ron Rothstein was the first coach from 1988 to 1991. Kevin Loughery followed him, leading the Heat to their first two playoff appearances.

In 1995, Pat Riley became the head coach and team president. He retired from coaching in 2003 but stayed as president. He promoted Stan Van Gundy to head coach. Van Gundy led the Heat to a great record and the conference finals in 2005.

In the 2005–06 season, Riley returned as head coach and led the Heat to their first championship in 2006. Riley retired permanently after the 2007–08 season. His replacement was Erik Spoelstra, who has been the head coach since 2008. Spoelstra was the youngest head coach in the league at the time. He led the team to four straight NBA Finals, winning championships in 2012 and 2013.

Team Accomplishments and Awards

Miami Heat championship banners prior to the 2012–13 season.

Franchise Leaders

Bold means the player is still active with the team. Italic means the player is still active but not with the team.

Points scored (regular season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season

Other statistics (regular season) as of the end of the 2024–25 season

Individual Awards

NBA All-Star Weekend

See also

In Spanish: Miami Heat para niños