Miami Heat Emirates CupThe Miami Heat closed Emirates Cup group stage play at 3-1!! (Harry How/Getty Images)

As a result of wins by the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks, the Miami Heat have clinched a spot in the Emirates Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the cup’s three-year history!

🚨🚨🚨THE MIAMI HEAT HAVE CLINCHED A SPOT IN THE KNOCKOUT ROUND 🚨🚨🚨

The Magic held on to beat Detroit 112-109, while Atlanta outlasted Cleveland, 130-123.

Now, we wait to see if they clinch Group C. (Knicks lead 107-105 with U4 left)

— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) November 29, 2025

HEAT CLINCH EAST WILD CARD 🏆

With Cleveland and Detroit’s losses, the Heat have now clinched the East Wild Card. They advance to the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup!

East Group A: Toronto
East Group B: Orlando
East Group C: Knicks
East Wild Card: Miami
West…

— NBA (@NBA) November 29, 2025

While they finished group stage play 3-1 with a plus-49 point differential, the Heat needed some extra help to clinch the only wild card spot.

The New York Knicks clinched Group C with a 118-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks; they had the head-to-head tiebreaker over Heat. Though Miami still clinched with Detroit and Cleveland both dropping to 2-2 from their respective losses.

As a result of clinching in the wild card, Miami will face the Magic in the quarterfinals, which begin until Dec. 9; an exact date and time for that game hasn’t been disclosed at time of publication. Orlando swept Group B, capped by a 112-109 win over Detroit Friday.

The Heat’s only game against their intrastate foe came on opening night. Orlando beat the Heat 125-121.

***

This is a breaking news story! Stay tuned for updates!

To check out our other content, click here.

Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter/X here!

Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram here!

Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook here!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here!