Miami, FL
Heat president emotional as Pat Riley Court unveiled
MIAMI – Pat Riley stood in front of 20,000 people on Wednesday night. And they all seemed to be cheering as the Miami Heat officially dedicated their home court in his honor during halftime of the season opener against the Orlando Magic.
But when it was time to end his remarks and close the halftime celebration of “Pat Riley Court,” the Basketball Hall of Famer and team president was speaking to just one person — his wife, Chris.
“It will end here one day. And that stamp here and that stamp over there, that’s what it’s all about, sweetie,” Riley said, pointing to the two spots on the court that now bear his signature and name. “We made it. We made it. I love you. Thank you.”
Plenty of former players — Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Mike Miller and Jamal Mashburn among them — came back for the celebration, and many others sent acknowledgements to Riley. Getting the court named for him was not his idea; Heat managing general partner Micky Arison told Riley of the move on Sept. 22, catching him completely by surprise.
“This is beyond even my imagination of a reward for a man’s life’s work,” Riley said. “We are huge dreamers and Micky has made mine. It wasn’t something I wanted or pursued, but I’m going to take it.”
Riley came to Miami in 1995 to become coach and team president. He stepped down from coaching twice — first in 2003, then again and for good in 2008 — but not before leading Miami to its first title in 2006.
When he gave up coaching for the final time, he promoted Erik Spoelstra to be his replacement. Spoelstra is entering Year 17 in the role.
“I just think it’s a really special moment, not only for myself but for so many of us in the building,” said Spoelstra, who — along with the rest of his coaches — wore Nike Cortez sneakers Wednesday as a tribute to Riley, who preferred them when he coached. “These years are going by fast; 30 years is just like a blink of an eye. He’s brought us all along on the ride and we’re forever grateful for that. He’s given us a blueprint to follow that leads to winning.”
The piece of the court that Riley got as a commemorative plaque read “On September 1, 1995, the future of the Miami Heat changed forever.” Alonzo Mourning, now a Heat vice president, was the first big-name player that Riley brought to South Florida.
“Coach, 30 years ago you welcomed me to this franchise with an open heart and a singular vision to host a championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard,” Mourning said. “And since our very first season here in Miami, you’ve done nothing but deliver on that vision again and again and again — with a blend of class and competitiveness that this game has never and will never witness again.”
Riley pointed out that he coached 188 players in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York and Miami — more than 100 of them in his Heat days alone. He thanked them, thanked his staff, other executives, his family and more.
But it was his wife, who helped organize Wednesday’s event, who was the centerpiece of his remarks over and over again. Riley even detailed how they met.
“I want to get this one right,” Riley said. “It was one summer night on a crowded mezzanine in San Diego and I saw perfect. The most beautiful woman ever, her flowered summer dress swaying softly as she walked towards me. Saw those hazel eyes and my heart leapt. … I went for her like Udonis Haslem is going to go for a loose ball on that court right there.”
The Heat even aired the clip of the private meeting where Arison told Riley that he and his son Nick, the team’s CEO, decided that the court would bear his name. Riley looked shocked.
“Enjoy it,” Arison told Riley. “It’s going to be there forever.”
Miami, FL
Miami Heat-Minnesota Timberwolves Final Injury Update: Anthony Edwards’ status divulged
The Minnesota Timberwolves announced that guard Anthony Edwards is now available to play in Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Heat after originally being listed as questionable with right foot injury maintenance.
Here’s the rest of the injury report and game preview:
INJURY REPORT
HEAT
Tyler Herro: Available – Toe
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Out – Ankle
Nikola Jovic: Available – Groin
Terry Rozier: Out – Not with team
TIMBERWOLVES
Anthony Edwards: Available – Foot
Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out – Foot
Joan Beringer: Out – G League
Game date, time and location: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. EST, Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: TV: Peacock,
Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) 100.3 FM (Minnesota)
VITALS: The Miami Heat (20-16) and Minnesota Timberwolves (23-13) meet for the second and final regular season matchup after just facing off three days ago with Minnesota recording a, 125-115, win in Miami on January 3. The teams split the series, 1-1, last season with each squad winning on the road. The Heat are 36-35 all-time versus Minnesota during the regular season,
including 19-16 in home games and 17-19 in road games.
PROJECTED STARTERS
HEAT
G Davion Mitchell
G Tyler Herro
C Bam Adebayo
F Norman Powell
F Andrew Wiggins
TIMBERWOLVES
G Donte DiVincenzo
G Anthony Edwards
C Rudy Gobert
F Jaden McDaniels
F Julius Randle
Spread: Heat +5.5 (-112), Timberwolves -5.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Heat +166, Timberwolves -198
Total points scored: 239.5 (over -106, under -114)
QUOTABLE
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra on the forced turnovers: “That is and has to be our identity. We have to play with a recklessness and activity level that exceeds our opponent, and thats not to put down our talent level or anything like that, it’s more about we look different when we’re flying around and making plays and making it tough for the opponent.”
For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.
Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket
Miami, FL
Man shot during $22,000 gold chain robbery at Supreme store in Miami’s Design District; Atlanta suspects arrested
Three men were arrested Saturday after a robbery inside a Miami clothing store left a man shot and hospitalized, according to Miami police and arrest affidavits.
The incident happened Friday afternoon in Miami’s popular Design District neighborhood.
Police said officers were dispatched around 4:20 p.m. Friday to the area of Miami Avenue and Northeast 41st Street after receiving reports of a man who had been shot. Officers found the victim, who told them he had been robbed and shot while shopping inside a Supreme store located at 45 NE 41st Street.
According to investigators, the victim said he was approached by three suspects inside the store, including one person with whom he had a prior conflict originating from the Atlanta area. Police said an argument broke out, and one suspect forcibly removed a gold chain from the victim’s neck. The chain was valued at approximately $22,000, according to police.
As the suspect ran out of the store, the victim attempted to chase him, police said. During the pursuit, an unidentified male shot the victim once in the stomach. The suspects then fled the area in a white Mercedes-Benz, according to the arrest affidavits.
Miami Police detectives later located the suspect vehicle parked near Northeast 10th Avenue and Northeast 91st Terrace. Police said they conducted surveillance and observed the suspects abandon the vehicle and walk through a nearby residential area before entering a home in the 800 block of Northeast 90th Street.
A residential search warrant was executed, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. During the search, detectives recovered the victim’s gold chain, keys to the suspect vehicle, and clothing believed to have been worn during the robbery, police said.
The suspects were identified as Jamar McKay, 25, Omarion Phillips, 20, and Kevieon Smith, 21. McKay was charged with armed robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon. Phillips and Smith were charged as accessories after the fact, with Smith also facing an additional firearms-related charge, according to court records.
“This arrest sends a clear message: violent crime will not be tolerated in the City of Miami,” Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales said in a statement. “Individuals who commit acts of violence in our city will be identified, located, and held fully accountable.”
Miami, FL
Miami Hurricanes arrive in Phoenix to continue Fiesta Bowl preparations
Miami Hurricanes arrive in Phoenix
Miami Hurricanes arrive in Phoenix on Jan. 5, 2026, ahead of their matchup with the Ole Miss Rebels at the 2026 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl.
The Miami Hurricanes are looking to buck a bad trend. They’re 0-4 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Coach Mario Cristobal’s team gets its fifth shot this week as Miami (12-2) squares off against Mississippi (13-1) in the Fiesta Bowl at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 8 at State Farm Stadium. The school may be 0-4 historically, but there is plenty at stake. This Fiesta Bowl is serving as a College Football Playoff semifinal.
The Hurricanes, the No. 10 seed in the 12-team playoff field, arrived at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, at the Ragsdale Executive Terminal of Sky Harbor Airport. The opposing team is expected 24 hours later.
The gathered crowd of 100 or so was made of members of the Fiesta Bowl Committee, easily identifiable in their yellow jackets, and their families.
In the past, there had been a welcome event in a tent adjacent to the runway. The coach typically made an opening statement, but players and coaches walked off the plane and straight to their buses parked nearby.
Players, dressed in white sweatsuits, filed off their American Airlines flight in single file on a blue carpet.
The players will take part in a media day on Jan. 6 at a Scottsdale hotel, with the coaches talking to the media the following day, the eve of the contest.
The Hurricanes enter on the heels of a six-game winning streak. Their last loss came on Nov. 1 against SMU, a game decided in double overtime 26-20. They have surrendered just 17 points in their two postseason games.
The winner advances to the national championship game on Jan. 19 against the winner of the other semifinal, the Peach Bowl between Oregon and Indiana.
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