Hornets Seek Postseason Berth in Play-In Clash with Heat

Charlotte looks to capitalize on Miami's late-season struggles in high-scoring matchup

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:42pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Hornets' high-octane offense looks to overwhelm the struggling Heat defense in a crucial Play-In Tournament matchup.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets, riding a strong finish to the regular season, host the Miami Heat in a pivotal NBA Play-In Tournament matchup. The Hornets, led by rising star LaMelo Ball, aim to secure a playoff spot, while the Heat limp into the postseason after a disappointing close to the year.

Why it matters

This game represents a chance for the Hornets to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Charlotte's high-powered offense could overwhelm a struggling Miami defense, setting the stage for an exciting Play-In showdown with major postseason implications.

The details

The Hornets went 28-10 in their final 38 games, a pace that would equate to 60 wins over a full season. Meanwhile, the Heat limped to a 5-10 finish, getting outscored by 4.5 points per 100 possessions during that stretch. Charlotte routed Miami 136-106 in their most recent matchup on March 17, exposing the Heat's defensive woes. The Hornets boast the East's best offense since the All-Star break, while the Heat have been one of the NBA's worst defensive teams down the stretch.

  • The game will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • Charlotte went 28-10 in its final 38 games of the regular season.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard and former third overall draft pick, who finished the season with a 42.6% assist rate, trailing only Nikola Jokic and Cade Cunningham among qualified players.

Kon Knueppel

The Hornets' rookie sharpshooter, who led the league in made three-pointers (273) and connected on 42.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc.

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What they’re saying

“Charlotte went 28-10 in its final 38 games of the regular season. Prorated across an entire season, that's the winning percentage of a squad with 60 wins.”

— Garion Thorne, Author

“The Heat's largest flaw in that aforementioned 15-game sample was defense. Miami surrendered 124.6 points per 100 possessions, a figure which ranked 28th in the NBA, besting only the actively-tanking Grizzlies and Wizards.”

— Garion Thorne, Author

What’s next

The winner of this Play-In game will advance to face the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The takeaway

This matchup pits a surging Hornets team with a high-powered offense against a struggling Heat squad that has been unable to stop opponents down the stretch. If Charlotte can continue its late-season momentum, it could secure a long-awaited return to the postseason.