Charlotte's Sports Teams Deliver Postseasons Worth Celebrating

The Hornets won their first playoff game since 2016, and they aren't the only team chasing a title in the Queen City.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:08pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in neon colors depicting the energy and movement of a Charlotte Hornets basketball game, with players' figures dissolving into colorful brushstrokes.The electric atmosphere of a Charlotte Hornets playoff game comes alive in a vibrant, expressionist painting.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets secured a thrilling overtime win against the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament, marking the team's first postseason game in Uptown since 2016 and the highest-attended Hornets game ever at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets now need one more win to make the NBA Playoffs, and fans have several options to cheer them on. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Checkers are also preparing for the Calder Cup Playoffs, giving Charlotte sports fans even more to celebrate this postseason.

Why it matters

Charlotte's professional sports teams have struggled to find consistent success in recent years, so these deep playoff runs by both the Hornets and Checkers represent an exciting moment for the city's sports culture and fan base. The Hornets' return to the playoffs would be their first since 2016, while the Checkers are aiming to win their first Calder Cup championship.

The details

In the Hornets' thrilling overtime win against the Heat, second-year star LaMelo Ball hit the game-winning layup in the final seconds to secure the victory. The 19,698 fans in attendance at the Spectrum Center set a new record for the highest-attended Hornets game ever at the arena. The Hornets now need to win one more game to clinch a spot in the NBA Playoffs, and fans have several options to watch the team's next game, including a watch party at Slate in South End and a stream on Amazon Prime.

  • The Hornets' Play-In game against the Heat took place on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
  • The Hornets will play their next game on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Charlotte Hornets' star second-year point guard, who hit the game-winning layup in the final seconds of the team's overtime victory against the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Charlotte Checkers

The American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, who are preparing for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

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What’s next

The Hornets will play their next game on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. against the loser of the Orlando Magic-Philadelphia 76ers matchup. A win in that game would secure the Hornets' spot in the NBA Playoffs.

The takeaway

Charlotte's professional sports teams are delivering an exciting postseason run, with the Hornets returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and the Checkers preparing for the Calder Cup Playoffs. This represents a promising moment for the city's sports culture and fan base, who have endured lean years in recent times. The Hornets' thrilling overtime win against the Heat has energized the community, and fans have several options to continue supporting the team's playoff push.