LaMelo Ball leads Hornets to blowout win over Heat

Charlotte Hornets cruise past Miami Heat with dominant second half performance

Mar. 18, 2026 at 7:25am

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LaMelo Ball scored 30 points and dished out 13 assists as the Charlotte Hornets cruised to a 136-106 victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. The Hornets pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Heat 77-40 over the final two quarters. Coby White added 24 points off the bench for Charlotte, which improved to 35-34 on the season.

Why it matters

The win over the Heat, who are currently 38-31, is an important one for the Hornets as they look to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. LaMelo Ball's standout performance also reinforces his status as one of the league's most exciting young talents.

The details

The Hornets took control of the game in the second half, opening the fourth quarter on a 25-6 run to pull away. Ball was the catalyst, scoring 15 of his 30 points in the final period. Charlotte shot 17-for-42 from 3-point range as a team, while Miami struggled to a 7-for-36 mark from deep. The Hornets also dominated the glass, outrebounding the Heat 48-43.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who had 30 points and 13 assists in the win.

Coby White

The Hornets' sixth man, who scored 24 points off the bench.

Bam Adebayo

The Heat's All-Star center, who missed the game due to a calf injury.

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What they’re saying

“LaMelo was in complete control out there tonight. When he's playing like that, we're a tough team to beat.”

— Coby White, Hornets guard

What’s next

The Hornets will look to build on this win as they continue their seven-game homestand, while the Heat will try to bounce back from their second straight loss.

The takeaway

LaMelo Ball's dominant performance led the Hornets to a crucial victory over a fellow Eastern Conference playoff contender, showcasing Charlotte's potential when their young star is firing on all cylinders.