Head coach Pat Riley Playoff finish Did Not Qualify | Record 36–46 (.439) | |
Arena American Airlines Arena Place Division: 6th (Atlantic)
Conference: 11th (Eastern) Television Sunshine Network, WBFS, WFOR | ||
The 2001-02 Miami Heat season is the 14th season of the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). During the offseason, the Heat re-acquired Chris Gatling from the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed free agents Rod Strickland, LaPhonso Ellis, Kendall Gill, then later on signed Jim Jackson in December. After dealing with a kidney disorder, Alonzo Mourning returned for a full season. However, he was not able to play up to the same level as the Heat struggled and lost 23 of their first 28 games. They would recover from their awful start and play above .500 for the rest of the season as Mourning was selected for the 2002 NBA All-Star Game. However, the Heat finished sixth in the Atlantic Division with a 36–46 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1994–95 season.
This season proved to be Mourning's last season in a Heat uniform and although he was on the roster the following season, he was unable to play due to another kidney condition. He would return to the Heat midway through the 2004–05 season. The season also marks the first time in Pat Riley's coaching career that he failed to get his team into the playoffs. Following the season, Gill signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jackson and Strickland were both released, and Gatling retired.
For the season, the Heat added red alternate road uniforms for the second time.