How Andrew Wiggins’ “dirty business” is key to the Heat’s 3-1 start

MIAMI – With The Miami Heat have another offensive explosion against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, 144-117, fans are speculating what led to the team’s quick 3-1 start to the season. Speaking of fast, The Heat’s new up-tempo offense was the catalyst for early success, but it doesn’t work without its components, one of which is Andrew Wiggins.

There were plenty of benefactors for the fast-paced offense, which is the fastest in the league through four games with 109.1 possessions per 48 minutes and has averaged 130.5 points per game, the most in the NBA so far. While some point to Jaime Jaquez Jr., Norman Powelland others, Wiggins was a shadowy piece of the puzzle.

On Tuesday, Wiggins had more offensive opportunities than usual with Powell out with a groin injury, scoring 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting from the field, 3-of-6 from deep and a +13 from the floor. But he also does what doesn’t stand out in the standings for intense defensive activity or excellence in ball movement on the fast break or in transition.

One person who noticed this was the Miami captain Bam Adebayosaying while Wiggins “the quiet one in the starting lineup,” he also does the “dirty work”.

“He’s quiet in the starting lineup, but he does the little things that make a difference in the win,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints after the win over the Hornets. “The last two games and in Memphis, his offensive rebounding was something that stuck out to me, because that’s his way of getting involved, getting his fingerprints on the game. And we like to see a guy like that, who’s quiet and does all the dirty work every now and then.”

He asked Bam Adebayo about Andrew Wiggins’ night, his role on the team and how Spo said “it’s only a matter of time” before he gets into full swing.

“Yes, Wiggs is quiet in the starting lineup, but he does the little things that make a difference in winning…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/HBOiNTVfH5

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 29, 2025

Warmth Erik Spoelstra says it’s ‘a matter of time’ for Andrew Wiggins

While it is The Heat’s bench and second unit were a treat for the team in their production to start the season, the starting lineup still has to adjust and accept their roles, despite each player’s potentially similar traits. Wiggins played his part in the match, being the perfect complementary figure who doesn’t need the ball in his hands 24/7.

Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra would express his satisfaction with Wiggins and explain what made him so impressive on Tuesday, while also noting that he’s more comfortable and in rhythm, saying: “It’s a matter of time.”

“His energy was good, too. I think the offensive rebound he had at the end of the first half was an indication that he just wanted to put his fingerprints on the action,” Spoelstra told ClutchPoints. “He’s at his best when he’s making tackles. You know, it’s not necessarily play calls, but it can be defensive plays, blocks, multiple attempts to get out in transition.”

“He’s a handful when he gets in front of himself, random passes, interceptions, plays against others,” Spoelstra continued. “When the ball comes to him, just to be very assertive. And you know, he’s starting to feel a little more comfortable, getting into a better rhythm. We all know he wants to play really well for the group. I love where his heart is. So it’s just a matter of time.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra what he liked about Andrew Wiggins in Norman Powell’s absence.

He mentioned how he was “starting to feel more comfortable.”

“We all know he’s playing really well for the group… it’s just a matter of time…” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/srt5kg4III

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 29, 2025

Heat is Andrew Wiggins in the role of when Tyler Herro is coming back

Especially with The Heat’s latest injury report indicates that Powell is likely out once again, plus Nikola Jovic questionable since Wednesday, Wiggins could see additional opportunities. Along with the others, but Wiggins stood up to the Hornets on both sides of the ball and even agreed with Spoelstra’s statement, saying Tuesday’s outing was “a step in the right direction.”

“I feel like every game is getting better and better, like today was a step in the right direction,” Wiggins said.

Still, there will likely come a point when the team is fully healthy, which includes not only Powell, but also yet-to-be-debuted Tyler Hero, who is still recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

While it might appear to fans that Wiggins has lost his way in the starting line-up, the 30-year-old played down the notion, saying he’s not one to “force shots” or demand the ball anyway, saying he plays “within the attack”.

“I feel like it’s the same,” Wiggins told ClutchPoints when asked about his role once Herro returns. “You know, I’m not one to force shots. You know, I play in the flow of the offense, I play in the flow of the game and I do everything I can to help the team win. We got Tyler, Tyler’s a bucket, an All-Star, you got Norm, we had a hell of a season last year. It should have been this, you know, we had another All-Star last year. All-Star, you know, we’ve got a lot of guys that can do special things.

He asked Andrew Wiggins a few questions, first about Spo saying “it’s just a matter of time” before he gets fully into his groove and his role when Powell and eventually Herro return.

I would agree with Spoo’s assessment, which tonight was called a step in the right direction: #HeatNation pic.tvitter.com/oDLanZjZZJ

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 29, 2025

Either way, it remains to be seen how Wiggins’ role will evolve over the course of the season, with his next opportunity coming Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs.