Heat coach, Larsson explain rookie’s start, where he stands. And Stevens, Butler updates
Seeking anything and everything to help rescue the Heat from a season-long cycle of mediocrity, coach Erik Spoelstra keeps turning to youth, inserting Kel’el Ware as a starter this week and increasing the roles of Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic during different stretches of the season.
On Thursday night in Milwaukee, it was Pelle Larsson’s turn. The second-round rookie made his first NBA start, but he was already off the floor before you settled into your chair, committing three fouls (two against Damian Lillard, another against Giannis Antetokounmpo) and going to the bench 1:58 into the game, returning only in the second half to complete a 14-minute stint.
While the results weren’t ideal (four points on 1-for-5 shooting, five rebounds, four fouls and a turnover), the moment was meaningful.
“Very proud moment,” he said of his first start in his 27th NBA game. “I am grateful for the opportunity. I didn’t last very long in this one. Hopefully, there is more.”
Spoelstra said the decision to insert Larsson into the starting group was made in part to put defensive pressure on Lillard. But Larsson was immediately called for fouls that were hardly egregious.
“Lillard is going to draw a lot of them with how sneaky he is and experienced,” Larsson said. “In those situations, those are very unfortunate.”
Spoelstra wasn’t pleased with the quick whistle.
“He had some tough calls,” Spoelstra said. “That was a thing I roll my eyes at in this league. A veteran drawing three quick fouls like that. If Pelle did the same thing the other way, zero chance those would be fouls.”
Whether Larsson gets a second start remains undetermined. The Heat plays in Brooklyn on Saturday (6 p.m., FanDuel Network Sun) in the second game of Jimmy Butler’s two-game suspension.
“We will re-evaluate,” Spoelstra said. “I’ll just figure out where we can plug him in. I like what Pelle is doing behind the scenes.”
That behind-the-scenes work includes a priority on improving his handle.
Larsson said “handling the ball against pressure” has been a priority in skill development in recent weeks. “Maybe I can open up for others a little bit, taking the load up, bringing the ball up in some of those lineups. That’s an emphasis I think I’m getting a lot better at.”
His overall numbers are pedestrian, as one might expect for a rookie second-round pick: 4.3 points per game, 46.2% shooting, 31% on threes (13 for 42) and 13 minutes per game in 27 appearances.
But he certainly has had his moments, including 13 points against Sacramento and 14 in a win at Dallas and 11 points while helping fuel a late rally in Tuesday’s loss against Portland.
And this is meaningful: Larsson, who was selected 44th overall out of Arizona, is holding the player he’s guarding to 42.2% shooting; those players shoot 44.8% overall.
“You can’t really know what to expect, but I feel like my learning is skyrocketing,” he said. “Every day, I feel I’m getting a little better. You have to come every day with a smile and help your teammates. I think they appreciate that.”
Bam Adebayo said there’s more to come for the reserved, respectful Stockholm, Sweden, native.
“From Day 1, he’s one of the quietest dudes on the team, but you definitely know who Pelle is when he gets out there and he can be himself, play physical,” Adebayo said. “Obviously the refs got him going [Thursday night], so he couldn’t be as physical as he wanted. But you got to understand, when Pelle’s on the court, you’re going to know who he is.”
Stevens’ growth
Two other young players on two-way contracts also await chances: guard Josh Christopher (who has played 26 minutes in seven games) and Isaiah Stevens, who has yet to appear in a game for the Heat after signing a two-way contract with Miami on Dec. 26.
Stevens leads the G League in assists, at 10.8 per game and has joined the team on this two-game road swing but was inactive for Thursday’s 125-96 loss in Milwaukee. Stevens rejoined the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, following Thursday’s defeat and won’t be with the Heat for Saturday’s game in Brooklyn.
“He’s a really important quarterback for our team [in Sioux Falls, South Dakota],” Spoelstra said. “Sometimes it shows up with eight assists a game. Sometimes it doesn’t. In terms of how he can manage the floor, manage the game, he’s a throwback. Some of us modern NBA [people] are not used to pass first guys. It’s such a beautiful skill.”
Stevens grew up “watching a lot of Chris Paul and Steve Nash” — two creative playmakers — and relishes that throwback distinction.
“It adds a different element to the game that I take pride in,” he said. “Scoring is fine but seeing someone else make a play, something you’re able to help facilitate or create, that definitely does hold a special place in my heart. I’m here to always help orchestrate, be a connector, and make other guys’ lives easier.”
Stevens, who’s averaging 8.9 points and 4.0 turnovers and 1.6 steals in 17 games in Sioux Falls, improved his three-point shooting at Colorado State, closing at 44 percent (66 for 150) last season. But he’s shooting just 30.8 percent on threes for Sioux Falls (20 for 65) and knows that part of his game must improve.
“Absolutely, being a smaller guard [6-0], that’s part of it,” he said. “I don’t think it’s anything mechanical.”
Butler update
The Heat remained engaged with several teams on a potential Butler trade, eager to make a deal before the Feb. 6 trade deadline if the right one can be found.
Memphis has been showing interest in Butler even though he has sent word through back channels that he doesn’t want to play there.
“The Grizzlies are lurking in Butler trade talks, sources said, and have been in contact with Miami during the process,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said. “Sources have theorized that if Memphis can acquire him for a playoff run and also free cap space this summer, that’s where their interests might lie.”
INJURY REPORT
Along with missing Butler (suspension) and Stevens (G League), the Heat will be without Keshad Johnson (G League), Josh Richardson (right heel inflammation) and Dru Smith (left Achilles surgery) for Saturday’s game against the Nets. The rest of the Heat’s roster is expected to be available.
This story was originally published January 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM.
