Pelle Larsson turns in 15/7/4/1 line vs. Charlotte

Larsson was initially listed as probable, and he has now officially been cleared to suit up. He has played a significant role off the bench this season, though he hasn’t been able to find his shot yet.

Larsson is the only player on the Heat’s injury report. He’s probable with a left finger sprain. Miami figures to be at full strength as they look for their first win of the season against the Hornets.

The good news for fantasy managers was that Mitchell recorded a double-double, which included a game-high 10 assists. However, for category-league managers, the six turnovers hurt. Mitchell logged 33 minutes in Wednesday’s opener, with Pelle Larsson (two points, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block) taking on the playmaking responsibilities when “Off Night” was on the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo can also initiate the offense, and they’ll likely need to because Miami lacks depth at point guard.

Neither Adebayo nor Larsson played in the Heat’s final two preseason games, but both are on track to play in Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Timberwolves. Adebayo’s status matters more to the Heat and fantasy managers because of his role in the rotation. As for Larsson, he’ll provide added perimeter depth off the bench.

Adebayo is dealing with right groin tightness, and his absence frees up additional minutes for Nick Richards. With his contract for the upcoming season not being guaranteed unless he makes the Opening Night roster, this is a big opportunity for Richards. With Klay Thompson available, he’ll slide into the starting lineup spot Larsson occupied in Saturday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Smith’s absence won’t change anything regarding fantasy basketball, as starting point guard Davion Mitchell is available.

Larsson has been dealing with an illness for a few days, but it did not keep the Heat wing from starting Saturday’s game. He logged 25 minutes, finishing with 14 points (4-of-15 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), three rebounds and five assists. With Miami’s lack of perimeter depth, Larsson will have more opportunities to contribute this season. For that reason, he’s worth considering as a late-round option in deeper leagues.

Having agreed to a four-year extension last month, Larsson’s immediate future in Miami is secure. He came off the bench on Saturday and took on more playmaking responsibilities because of the Heat’s lack of depth at point guard. With Dru Smith (hamstring) currently out and not guaranteed to be a full go when the regular season begins, Larsson is even more enticing as a late-round option.

Larsson carved out a solid role for the Heat last season, starting 54 of the 70 regular-season games and averaging 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game overall. He should again be a part of the nightly rotation in his third NBA season for a Miami team that expects to have a much higher ceiling with the offseason acquisition of Giannis Antetokounmpo. From a fantasy perspective, Larsson could take another leap in production and build in 2026-27 on a strong end to his second season.

Shortly after NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Thompson had reached a buyout agreement with Dallas, Shams dropped the news that Thompson was headed to South Beach. Thompson’s final season in Dallas was forgettable, but he’s still an elite shooter, which is exactly what the Heat need to build this team around Giannis Antetokounmpo. There is a chance that Thompson starts alongside Davion Mitchell, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis and Bam Adebayo, though he should play a significant role regardless. Pelle Larsson may take on a smaller role than anticipated with Thompson in town.

Larsson improved during his second NBA season, averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 0.9 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game. There were moments when he possessed streaming value, but the role was not robust enough to make him a must-roster in most fantasy leagues. Even if he continues to come off the bench, Larsson may take on a larger role in 2026-27 in the aftermath of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Among the players Miami parted with in the deal was Jaime Jaquez Jr., runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year.