Hornets and Heat Battle in NBA Play-In Tournament

Charlotte and Miami fight for a spot in the playoffs as the NBA postseason tips off.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:57pm

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The NBA play-in tournament begins on Tuesday with a pair of games, including the Charlotte Hornets taking on the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. Both teams are looking to secure a spot in the playoffs after narrowly missing out on automatic bids. The Suns and Trail Blazers will also face off in the Western Conference, with the winner earning the 7th seed.

Why it matters

The play-in tournament provides a second chance for teams that just missed the playoffs, adding extra drama and excitement to the start of the NBA postseason. Charlotte and Miami have both had strong seasons and will be eager to keep their playoff hopes alive, while the Suns and Trail Blazers matchup features two teams that have overcome adversity to put themselves in contention.

The details

In the Eastern Conference matchup, the Hornets and Heat will battle for a spot in Friday's play-in games. Charlotte has been one of the league's surprise teams this season, rallying after a tough start to reach the play-in. Miami, known for its 'Heat Culture', is always a threat in the playoffs and will look to use its experience to advance. Out West, the Suns have exceeded expectations after an offseason roster overhaul, while the Trail Blazers have fought through injuries and other challenges to put themselves in position for a playoff berth.

  • The NBA play-in tournament tips off on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Charlotte Hornets

An NBA team that narrowly missed out on an automatic playoff spot and will compete in the play-in tournament.

Miami Heat

An NBA team known for its 'Heat Culture' that will face the Hornets in the play-in tournament.

Phoenix Suns

An NBA team that has exceeded expectations this season and will face the Trail Blazers in the play-in tournament.

Portland Trail Blazers

An NBA team that has overcome adversity to put itself in position for a playoff berth, facing the Suns in the play-in tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We've been through a lot this season, but we're not done yet. This play-in game is our chance to show what we're made of and keep our playoff hopes alive.”

— Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers Guard

“The play-in tournament adds a whole new level of excitement to the start of the playoffs. We're ready to leave it all on the court and give our fans something to cheer about.”

— Jimmy Butler, Heat Forward

What’s next

The winners of Tuesday's play-in games will advance to face higher-seeded teams in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Friday.

The takeaway

The NBA play-in tournament provides a thrilling start to the postseason, giving teams that narrowly missed the playoffs a second chance to compete for a spot in the first round. Matchups like Hornets-Heat and Suns-Trail Blazers promise high-intensity, win-or-go-home basketball as teams fight to keep their championship dreams alive.