MIAMI – With the Miami Heat in the midst of the preseason ahead of the third game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, it is a key opportunity for stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo to build chemistry with his new teammates. As Antetokounmpo builds his comfort with the Heat through the preseason, the dynamic with Bam Adebayo is one that every fan is anticipating to see once the regular season kicks off, as the two-time MVP gives an update on the duo's chemistry.

It was another impressive outing from Antetokounmpo on Thursday night, as he recorded 18 points on eight of 13 shooting from the field, two of five from the free-throw line, to go along with four rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes of action. As fans got to see another glimpse of exciting frontcourt action, Antetokounmpo expressed after the game how Adebayo is making him feel more acclimated on the court.

“It's great, he's a great communicator,” Antetokounmpo said Thursday. “Plays hard. He's being physical. He's talking to me a lot during the game and tries to make me feel as comfortable as I can. It's great to be out there with him, and offensively, he's fun. It's fun playing with him.”

Giannis on his early impressions playing w/Bam: #Heat

“It's great. He's a great communicator. Plays hard. He's talks to me a lot during the game and try to make me feel as comfortable as I can. It's great to be out there with him, and offensively, it’s fun…” pic.twitter.com/7sW1sFeNLC

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 9, 2026

Bam Adebayo on work still needing to be done with the Heat

While each of the stars is among the best defensive players in the NBA individually, the two are looking to build a rapport on the floor together, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Though it's the preseason, the results have been good so far, as the two preseason games saw the Heat score at least 70 points in the first half.

Still, Adebayo says “there's still work to be done.”

“We've been building this over training camp and into mini camp, so there's still work to be done,” Adebayo said to ClutchPoints. “We're still trying to work through it. You know, we only got a couple first halves; these first two games to really see what it feels like to be on the actual court against somebody else. But as these preseason games go on, obviously we'll play longer minutes and longer stints, and we'll figure it out. I mean, it's been great, but obviously the games haven't really started yet.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo on his comfortability with the Heat

In the win over the Pelicans, Adebayo recorded nine points on three of five shooting from the field, made his lone attempt from three-point range, two of three from the free-throw line, to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

The end goal is getting Antetokounmpo comfortable, especially as he's played with the Milwaukee Bucks for 13 seasons before being traded to the Heat back in the summer.

“I'm a little bit more comfortable, but I'm not there yet,” Antetokounmpo said to ClutchPoints. “I've played with the Bucks, what? 900-plus games. I've played with the Heat two games. So if you do the math, I think it takes a little bit some time for me to be fully comfortable. But it's basketball. I want to be aggressive. I've always tried to get to my spot, be aggressive, make that right play, play hard, and that won't change no matter where I am and who's next to me. I just got to keep on being myself.”

Asked Giannis about the progress in being comfortable w/ #Heat:

“I'm a little bit more comfortable, but I'm not there yet. I've played with the Bucks 900+ games, played with the Heat two…I think it takes a little bit more time for me to be fully comfortable…”

Full response: pic.twitter.com/hYjkGBQIHj

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 9, 2026

Giannis Antetokounmpo on what the Heat need to clean up on

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In regard to what needs to be cleaned up based on the two preseason games, Antetokounmpo would highlight the team's defense, rebounding, and communication. In the first half against the Pelicans, while the projected regulars were playing, Miami let go of 64 points on New Orleans shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, as the Heat were also out-rebounded in the half, 29-22.

“Our defense, our communication, rebounding the ball, being more physical down there,” Antetokounmpo said. “When we play down there, whoever's in the game, if it's me or Bam, if it's me or Bobby [Portis Jr.], or me or Nick [Richards], they gotta feel us down there. I think we had a lot of possessions that they had second-chance points, so we just gotta do a better job in that. And the other thing, just running lanes, running habits gotta be elite. You know, we cannot have two, three guys waiting for the ball.”

“We know that a lot of guys can bring the ball up from Bam, myself, D-Mitch [Davion Mitchell],” Antetokounmpo continued. “A lot of guys can handle the ball, but you just gotta trust one another. And when we get the ball, we gotta trust our advantage. Our advantage is that we play fast, we play the ball ahead, and try to attack and find a gap to create for ourselves or create for our teammate. So we just gotta trust one another. Right now, I feel like sometimes we just, like, ‘Oh, should I get it? Are you gonna get it? Who's gonna get it?'”

At any rate, Antetokounmpo and Miami will look to continue building the chemistry ahead of the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.