2001–02 Miami Heat season

The 2001–02 Miami Heat season was the 14th for the franchise in the National Basketball Association. The team re-acquired Chris Gatling from the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed free agents Rod Strickland, LaPhonso Ellis, Kendall Gill, and later Jim Jackson in December. Despite the return of Alonzo Mourning after a kidney disorder, the Heat lost 23 of their first 28 games, including a 12-game losing streak. They recovered to play above .500 for the remainder, finishing 36–46 and sixth in the Atlantic Division, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1994–95. Mourning made his final All-Star appearance, and Pat Riley failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in his coaching career.