Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra acknowledged the frustration surrounding the team’s 0-4 start but urged his players to remain resilient after Monday’s 113-109 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Heat have opened the 2026-27 NBA season with four consecutive defeats, marking their fifth 0-4 start in franchise history and their first since 2008-09. Despite the disappointing results, Spoelstra believes there have been encouraging signs, although Miami must become more consistent.
“This is not the start anybody wanted, but it’s happened,” Spoelstra said after the loss. “We have to address what’s in front of us, and we need to continue to get more consistent with our game.”
Spoelstra pointed to defensive improvements during stretches of the game but highlighted the decisive plays Miami conceded late, including Cooper Flagg’s drive and his block of Andrew Wiggins’ three-point attempt with 31 seconds remaining.
“Defense was better for certain parts of the game. Gave up a big three and then a drive to Flagg there at the end,” Spoelstra said.
The coach also wants Miami to improve its offensive rhythm, particularly its ability to create opportunities in the half court. The Heat missed 11 of 25 free throws against Dallas, but Spoelstra focused more on their overall execution.
“Our pace and our attacks in the man [defense], that was probably our best stretch there right before they went to the zone,” he said. “They went to that to try to mitigate our driving game, and they had some success with it.”
Spoelstra added that Miami created good opportunities against the zone but failed to capitalize, allowing Dallas to generate chances in transition.
Asked about the risk of the team’s poor start affecting its confidence, Spoelstra backed his players to handle the adversity.
“We have the type of guys that have the toughness to be able to handle some adversity, and collectively we’ll get together and continue to forge ahead,” he said.
He also made clear that the responsibility for turning things around rests with Miami.
“Nobody cares about what’s going on with our scores. The league isn’t going to bail us out,” Spoelstra said. “It’s up to us to change it. There’s some better things that are happening, but we have to get over the hump and get our first W, and then we’ll build it from there.”
The Heat will try to secure that first victory when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
