MIAMI – With the fanbase anticipating the impact Giannis Antetokounmpo will have on the Miami Heat, the same can be said for Klay Thompson, as the two players heading into the season are sure to play a huge role. As many expect the best versions of each player on the Heat, head coach Erik Spoelstra would give insight into how the two on the floor together fit so well.

In Miami's preseason debut in last Saturday's 129-105 win over the Toronto Raptors, both Antetokounmpo and Thompson started the game, though the stat sheet for the latter might be deceiving.

As Antetokounmpo impressed in the 14 minutes, recording nine points on three of three shooting from the field, three of four from the free-throw line, to go along with seven assists and four rebounds, Thompson didn't record any points in the outing.

Heat's Erik Spoelstra explains the positive “conflict” with the newcomers

However, it was clear to see that Toronto blanketed Thompson on defense, not allowing him to get an open shot, which gave more room for Antetokounmpo to operate. Spoelstra would say to ClutchPoints that “conflict” from defenses with the two newcomers will benefit the team.

“Well, the defense. You know, you're talking about a guy that was an elite defender over the course of his career,” Spoelstra said before Thursday's home preseason opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. “So even at this age, he's smart. He's big. He knows where to be, and he takes the challenge. It's very important to him to depend on that side of the floor.”

“And offensively, it's reputation versus reputation,” Spoelstra continued. “That's the way we looked at it the other night. They both have great resumes. You know, Giannis has a reputation where you have to have multiple guys in front of them. Clay has a reputation where you don't ever take a body off him. So it's two conflicting things, and we want to try to maximize that the best that we can.”

Asked Erik Spoelstra about Klay’s impact even if the stat sheet may show otherwise:

“They both have great resumes. Giannis has a reputation where you have to have multiple guys in front of them. klay has a reputation where you don't ever take a body off him…” #Heat pic.twitter.com/Aov5f91dVg

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 8, 2026

Heat's Klay Thompson, Giannis Antetokounmpo talk dynamic

There's no denying that Thompson's resume speaks for itself, as the four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors is one of the most decorated three-point shooters of all time. Thompson would say after Monday's practice that the opposing defense is “respect.”

“It means a lot to me,” Thompson said. “You have to earn that. I’ve been on the defensive side of the ball where you do play a great scorer. And it’s like your natural instinct to hug up on him. It’s like you can’t give this guy any space. He’s too great of a player. And for me, I got to use that to my advantage, whether it’s screening for my teammates or flying off screens or just spacing the floor. And I think that’s why Spo [Spoelstra] and Mr. [Pat] Riley brought me here is for that point, just to be able to give guys operating room and make crucial shots when it matters most.”

Klay Thompson on the respect he earned defensively from his three-point ability: #Heat pic.twitter.com/HIuWmMsmR3

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 5, 2026

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For Antetokounmpo, he's not used to not having the sole attention on defense, saying how he is used to “guys that build a wall,” but Thompson adds another layer to the offense.

“It’s just weird,” Antetokounmpo said Monday. “Usually I always have guys on me, guys that build a wall. But there wasn’t. With Klay, I think there was maybe one or two plays that he was wide open. One of them, I missed him, but he wasn’t open. His guy was glued to him. “So if you know that you have a guy like that, who is one of probably, if not the best, second-greatest shooter of all time on the court with you, I think it makes the game a lot easier for you. When he’s open, you’ve got to deliver the ball. When he’s not open, you play four-against-four, more spacing, able to make plays for yourself, for your teammates.”

At any rate, Antetokounmpo and Thompson will continue to get acclimated to Miami as the preseason rolls along ahead of the regular-season opener on Oct. 21 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.