After joining the Miami Heat in a trade in the summer of 2025 from the Los Angeles Clippers, Norman Powell has kept his foot on the gas. He had a superb 2024-25 season with the Clippers, potentially deserving of an NBA All-Star nod.
That did not work out for Powell because his career year was not rewarded. He averaged 21.8 points per game for the Clippers, but injuries slowed down his superb campaign. However, he has been much better for the Heat this season compared to his All-Star-level campaign in LA.
Powell has received support from a champion coach
The Heat might not be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference just yet, but Powell is doing his best to contribute. Entering their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, Powell has averages of 23.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
His efficiency from beyond the arc also deserves to be commended because he is shooting 41.5% from three. Those are superb numbers, as he has become the Heat's number-one option. Of course, Tyler Herro was sidelined for a large chunk of time, but Powell still deserves to be commended.
More: Second fan vote hurts Norman Powell’s all-star chances
The Heat did not have the best Saturday, as they lost to the Indiana Pacers. It was a blowout 123-99 defeat, something that most people did not expect against the worst team in the Eastern Conference.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle won the game, but he remained impressed with the Heat. He singled out Powell as one of the best players on the Heat, even supporting his case as an All-Star.
"Norman Powell is such an important player for them. He wasn't able to get going tonight, that was certainly a factor... Powell to me is an All-Star this year, he’ll get a vote from me. I have no problem saying it publicly. He’s been really tremendous this year for them," Carlisle said after the Pacers' win against the Heat.
That is a tremendous show of support by a champion head coach for Powell. Moving forward, Powell should get more votes as an All-Star because he has been the driving force behind the Heat's success this season.
It will be challenging to keep this going, but he has done well to keep winning. Carlisle is a veteran of both playing and coaching in the league, so his opinion must be respected about top-tier players.
More NBA News:
- OKC's champion coach commends the Heat for being 'a great team to test yourself against'
- Spoelstra is not concerned about Tyler Herro's spot in the starting lineup amid issues
- Powell on the postponement of Heat vs Bulls 'First time I’ve ever had to deal with that'
- Tyler Herro gets honest about the 'young and fun' Miami Heat this season
- Erik Spoelstra expresses disappointment in the Miami Heat's lack of effort