Hornets Advance to Play Sixers/Magic Winner After Beating Heat in NBA Play-In

Charlotte will face the loser of the 76ers-Magic matchup on Friday for the final playoff spot.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:07am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of an NBA basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors.The Hornets' thrilling overtime victory against the Heat showcases the team's competitive spirit and offensive firepower as they fight for a playoff berth.Charlotte Today

The No. 9-seed Charlotte Hornets hosted the No. 10-seed Miami Heat on Tuesday night at Spectrum Center in Charlotte as part of the NBA play-in tournament. The Hornets were able to pull off a thrilling 127-126 overtime victory, overcoming poor shooting nights from LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel. Miles Bridges, Brandon Miller, and Coby White led the way for Charlotte, combining for 15 of the team's 18 three-pointers.

Why it matters

The Hornets' victory keeps their playoff hopes alive, as they now advance to face the loser of the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers and No. 8 seed Orlando Magic matchup on Friday. The winner of that game will secure the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and take on the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons in the opening round.

The details

Despite LaMelo Ball scoring 30 points, he hit just 2 of his 16 shots from deep. Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel also struggled, scoring just 6 points on 2-of-12 shooting. However, the Hornets got big games from Miles Bridges (28 points), Brandon Miller (23 points), and Coby White (19 points off the bench), who combined to hit 15 of the team's 18 three-pointers.

  • The Hornets hosted the Heat on Tuesday night (April 15, 2026) at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
  • The Hornets will play the loser of the 76ers-Magic game on Friday (April 18, 2026) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard scored 30 points but struggled from three-point range, hitting just 2 of 16 attempts.

Kon Knueppel

The Hornets' Rookie of the Year candidate had a tough night, scoring just 6 points on 2-of-12 shooting and missing all 6 of his three-point attempts.

Miles Bridges

The Hornets' forward led the team with 28 points, hitting 5 of the team's 18 three-pointers.

Brandon Miller

The Hornets' forward scored 23 points and hit 5 three-pointers.

Coby White

The Hornets' reserve guard scored 19 points off the bench and hit 5 three-pointers.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it wasn't going to be easy, but the guys really stepped up when we needed them most. This is just the first step, but we're excited to keep fighting for that playoff spot.”

— Steve Clifford, Hornets Head Coach

What’s next

The Hornets will face the loser of the 76ers-Magic game on Friday (April 18, 2026) at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the winner securing the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and a matchup against the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons.

The takeaway

The Hornets' gritty win over the Heat in the NBA play-in tournament showcases the team's resilience and depth, as they overcame off nights from their stars to advance. Now they have one more chance to clinch a playoff spot and take on the top-seeded Pistons, setting up an intriguing postseason matchup.