1993–94 Miami Heat season

The 1993–94 NBA season was the sixth season for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Heat signed free agent 7' 7" center Manute Bol, but released him to free agency after only just eight games.

The Heat got off to a 16–13 start to the regular season before losing seven straight games afterwards in January, and held a 23–24 record at the All-Star break. However, they would post a 7-game winning streak between February and March, but would then lose 13 of their final 18 games, finishing in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 42–40 record, which was their first ever winning record as they earned the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for their second NBA playoff appearance.

Glen Rice averaged 21.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, and also led the Heat with 132 three-point field goals, while Steve Smith averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, and Rony Seikaly provided the team with 15.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. In addition, Grant Long averaged 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, while second-year guard Harold Miner contributed 10.5 points per game, but only played 63 games due to a knee injury, and Brian Shaw contributed 9.0 points and 5.0 assists per game. Meanwhile, John Salley averaged 7.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, while off the bench, Bimbo Coles contributed 7.7 points and 3.5 assists per game, and second-year center Matt Geiger provided with 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1994 NBA playoffs, the Heat faced off against the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks; the Heat won their first ever playoff game in franchise history, 93–88 in Game 1 on April 28, 1994. However, in Game 2 at the Omni Coliseum, a brawl occurred which involved Long choking Hawks forward Duane Ferrell after fouling him; Long was suspended for one game while Heat forward Keith Askins, and Hawks reserve and rookie forward Doug Edwards were also both suspended for their altercation off the bench; Askins was suspended for three games, and Edwards was suspended for two games. After taking a 2–1 series lead, the Heat would lose to the Hawks in five games.

Following the season, Shaw signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic, and Willie Burton signed with the Philadelphia 76ers during the next season.