Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra decided to bring 2024 second rounder Pelle Larsson into the starting line up and it’s paying off so far as the Swedish guard embraces his task as a role player diligently.
He played at least 25 minutes in the last six games and producing good numbers. More than that, he’s also bringing grit in his position. That part showed in the team’s latest win against the Sacramento Kings when he had a little skirmish with veteran DeMar Derozan.
You gotta love how Larsson doesn’t take crap from anyone.
Heat need more of that attitude this season. pic.twitter.com/Hb0ZikQVHB
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) January 21, 2026
Larsson made sure he’ll have Derozan hear from him after the play which got many other players shoving and calming each other down. The Kings star was eventually handed a Flagrant-1 foul.
The 2024 44th pick explained to reporters what was said between him and Derozan. He cleared up his name and said that he did not say anything offensive against the six-time All-Star.
Pelle Larsson on his confrontation with Demar Derozan (Norman Powell and the guys join in on the fun😂)
“I didn’t say nothing, I didn’t start nothing, all I said was he said to me back to him…it was just basketball.”
Pelle is a DAWG. pic.twitter.com/dfVMlFjADj
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) January 21, 2026
That was not the first time he got into it with an established star in the league.
Pelle Larsson really rage-baited Devin Booker and Demar Derozan in a one week span😂
Swedish demon. He’s becoming a fan favorite. pic.twitter.com/3c91AuzO31
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) January 21, 2026
The Swedish player finished the game with 16 points and had 6 rebounds and 9 assists. The injury-ladened Heat ended up with the victory and recorded their third win in the last five.
Norman Powell praises Pelle Larsson
Norman Powell is one of those who brings grit and fight on the court day in and day out. He’s seeing that, too, on the 24-year-old teammate.
“Just the mentality and approach — not being able to back down from anybody, that resonates with the team…that’s the style of brand we need to play moving forward…Pelle brings that energy and that identity, everybody sees that and we rally behind that,” he said about Larsson’s latest performance.
Spoelstra is also praiseful of the growth the kid is showing.
Erik Spoelstra with praise for Pelle Larsson:
“Pelle just continues to grow. He’s doing a lot more playmaking now but he brought a force to the game on both sides of the court and it just kind of became contagious.”
Our X-Factor. pic.twitter.com/3t0cftWsxA
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) January 21, 2026
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