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Pelle Larsson took advantage of 28 minutes of court time in the Miami Heat's 106-90 win over the Washington Wizards last night to set a new personal best points tally in the NBA. The Swedish shooting guard's 16 points matched the margin of victory for the Heat, who responded well to an 116-112 overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday night.
The Stockholm native's total was three shy of Miami's top scorer in the game, Bam Adebayo, and two better than his previous record of 14, set against the Dallas Mavericks in November. He also registered four rebounds and five assists at Kaseya Center, as the Heat went seventh in the Eastern Conference, ahead of Florids rivals the Orlando Magic, with a record of 29 wins and 31 losses.
Traded to the Heat immediately after being drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2024, Larsson has seen his playing opportunities limited in his rookie NBA season. So much so, that on March 2nd he was assigned to NBA G-League side Sioux Falls Skyforce, only to be recalled a day later. Jaime Jaquez joining Davion Mitchell on the treatment table was the reason for the change of plans from coach Erik Spoelstra - a decision which Larsson quickly vindicated.
After the win, Spoelstra praised the 24-year-old, who has been patiently waiting for an opportunity: "He understands what his role is, some see it as something negative, we see it as something positive." In his debut campaign, the Swede has now averaged 3.7 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists for Miami. But it is his work ethic that has impressed his coach the most: "He is persistent, and that's why he gives himself the opportunity to be ready. He trains two or three times a day, you have to kick him out of the gym!" added Spoelstra.
