Bam Adebayo is sick and tired of playing in the play-in tournament

The Eastern Conference was supposed to be the land of opportunity this season, and while teams like the mighty Detroit Pistons and emerging Toronto Raptors definitely capitalized, Miami Heat (31-29) seem to be stuck in no man’s land. Erik Spoelstra’s team is currently positioned to compete in the NBA Play-In Tournament for the fourth year in a row. Bam Adebayo there are plenty. He expressed his displeasure next thursday 124-117 road loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.

“Yeah, I don’t want to be in this s**t anymore,” Adebayo said, according to the HeatCulture X account, after posting a game-high 29 points and 14 rebounds. “We’re better than we’ve been in the last 4 years.”

While the Heat are revered for their toughness, professionalism and cohesion, their famous culture amounts to just one playoff win in the last two years. Injuries certainly factored into the disappointing finishes, but it’s becoming clear that Miami no longer has the firepower to contend in the East, perhaps not even at the reduced power that is currently without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Halliburton.

“Yeah, I don’t want to be in this s*s anymore. We’re better than we’ve been in the last 4 years… Win games… See if we can put some V’s together.”

Bam Adebayo at the end of the game tournament 🗣pic.twitter.com/PaFiUTuCUR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 27, 2026

The Heat’s chances of making a deep postseason run will certainly diminish if they are forced to go through the Play-In round once again. Yes, the team has already succeeded, reaching the NBA Finals after starting as the No. 8 seed, but Jimmy Butler is no longer in South Beach (nor is he healthy). The organization may need to take a hard look at itself and initiate significant changes, as this is clearly not the Miami that was swimming in praise just a few years ago.

Perhaps a return to the Kaseia Center will turn the team’s fortunes around. After back-to-back road losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and 76ers, the Heat will play eight of their next 10 games at home, starting Saturday night against the Houston Rockets. They can only hope that the long-awaited turnaround comes during this crucial period, as the playoffs are fast approaching.

“Win some games,” Bam Adebayo said. “Be in our atmosphere, be in our habitat, where our fans are rooting for us and see if we can string together some W’s. Miami is in eighth place in the East and two and a half games behind the Phillies for the coveted No. 6 spot.”