Hornets' Coby White Sinks Clutch 3 to Force OT vs. Heat

White's last-second heroics kept Charlotte's season alive in the play-in tournament.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:12am

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An abstract expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the explosive energy and dramatic tension of a basketball player's shot in the final seconds of a game.Coby White's last-second heroics kept the Hornets' season alive, forcing overtime in a high-stakes play-in tournament clash.Today in Miami

With the Hornets' season on the line, Coby White hit a clutch 3-pointer in the final seconds to tie the game and force overtime against the Miami Heat in their NBA play-in tournament matchup. White had already hit 4 threes in the third quarter to give Charlotte the lead, and his final shot rescued the team from certain defeat.

Why it matters

This game had major playoff implications, as the winner would advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs. White's heroics kept the Hornets' season alive and gave them a chance to pull off the upset against the favored Heat.

The details

With the Hornets trailing by 3 points in the final seconds, head coach Charles Lee drew up a play for Coby White to take the last shot. White caught the inbounds pass and quickly launched a contested 3-pointer while moving to his left, draining the shot to tie the game at 114 with 10.8 seconds left. The Hornets were able to force overtime after Jaime Jaquez Jr. missed a free throw for the Heat.

  • The game-tying shot occurred with 10.8 seconds left in regulation.
  • White had hit 4 3-pointers in the third quarter to give the Hornets the lead.

The players

Coby White

A guard for the Charlotte Hornets who hit the clutch 3-pointer to force overtime against the Miami Heat in their NBA play-in tournament matchup.

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets who drew up the final play for Coby White to take the game-tying shot.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

A player for the Miami Heat who missed a free throw late in the game, allowing the Hornets to keep the game within a single possession.

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What’s next

The Hornets and Heat will now play an overtime period to determine who advances to the first round of the NBA playoffs.

The takeaway

Coby White's clutch 3-pointer at the end of regulation kept the Hornets' season alive and gave them a chance to pull off the upset against the favored Heat in the play-in tournament. This game-tying shot showcased White's ability to make big plays under pressure and the Hornets' resilience in the face of elimination.