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The Charlotte Hornets have delivered one of their most dramatic postseason performances, edging the Miami Heat 127–126 in an overtime thriller to advance in the NBA play-in tournament.
The victory not only keeps Charlotte’s postseason hopes alive but also ends a long-standing drought in elimination games, having previously lost all 12 win-or-go-home appearances.
At the centre of the action was LaMelo Ball, whose performance oscillated between brilliance and costly errors.
Charlotte appeared in control late in the game, holding a 125–120 lead with just 26 seconds remaining. However, Miami surged back, capitalising on Ball’s turnover and a reckless foul on Tyler Herro, who calmly converted three free throws to give Miami a 126–125 lead with nine seconds left.
Moments earlier, Herro had already ignited the comeback with a crucial corner three-pointer. But Ball responded when it mattered most, slicing through Miami’s defence for a decisive layup to restore Charlotte’s lead at 127–126. The game was ultimately sealed by Miles Bridges, whose athletic block denied Miami a final chance at victory.
Reflecting on the team’s resilience, Ball said, “We stuck with it and ground it out, all the shots weren’t hitting, but we stuck with it.”
Despite his heroics, Ball’s night was marred by controversy. In the second quarter, he appeared to trip Bam Adebayo following a blocked drive, forcing the Miami star out of the game.
Charlotte now advances to face the loser of the clash between the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers, with a first-round playoff meeting against top seeds Detroit at stake.
Ball finished with 30 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds, while Bridges added 28 points. Miami, led by Davion Mitchell’s 28 points, exits the tournament after a fiercely contested encounter.
