“We were definitely shocked”: Giannis Antetokounmpo makes eye-opening admission after Heat’s 0-2 start

“We were definitely shocked”: Giannis Antetokounmpo makes eye-opening admission after Heat’s 0-2 start originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Miami Heat brought Giannis Antetokounmpo to South Beach expecting championship aspirations, but their new superstar is discovering that individual dominance does not always translate into victories.

Despite another impressive performance Friday night, Miami suffered a disappointing 128-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons, dropping to 0-2 to begin the 2026-27 NBA season.

Antetokounmpo finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, continuing his remarkable offensive start. Through two games, the former NBA MVP has scored 71 points, matching his career high for the opening two games of a season.

His scoring total also represents the best two-game offensive start in Heat franchise history, surpassing LeBron James’ 63 points to open the 2011-12 campaign.

However, Miami’s defensive struggles have overshadowed his historic production.

The Heat have surrendered a franchise-record 259 points through their first two games, including 131 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their season opener.

Despite the disappointing results, Antetokounmpo remains confident that Miami will eventually find its rhythm.

“We were definitely shocked,” Antetokounmpo acknowledged while discussing the team’s early struggles.

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra also believes the team will improve as players develop chemistry.

“He really cares. He wants this to work. His teammates really want this to work. We’re going to get there,” Spoelstra said.

Miami’s problems extend beyond defense.

Bam Adebayo managed just four points against Detroit, while Klay Thompson struggled offensively, finishing with six points on 2-of-11 shooting.

Meanwhile, Detroit received 23 points from John Collins and 19 from Paul Reed, exposing Miami’s defensive weaknesses throughout the contest.

For Antetokounmpo, the challenge is helping his teammates establish consistency before the losses begin piling up.

The Heat have championship expectations, but their opening performances suggest significant adjustments remain necessary.

Miami will have another opportunity to secure its first victory Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets.

For now, Antetokounmpo continues producing superstar numbers while searching for his first victory in a Heat uniform.

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