LaMelo Ball’s Game-Winner Leads Hornets Over Heat in 2026 NBA Playoffs
- The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127-126 in an overtime thriller on April 14, 2026, to advance in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament.
- LaMelo Ball delivered the deciding play of the game, scoring a leaning, right-handed layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime.
- Despite the final result, Ball and teammate Kon Knueppel struggled from beyond the arc during regulation, combining for just 2-of-21 from three-point range.
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127-126 in an overtime thriller on April 14, 2026, to advance in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament. The victory eliminated Miami from the postseason and secured the Hornets’ first home postseason win in a decade.
LaMelo Ball delivered the deciding play of the game, scoring a leaning, right-handed layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime. The Hornets sealed the win at the buzzer when Miles Bridges blocked a layup attempt by Miami’s Davion Mitchell.
Game Breakdown and Key Performances
Ball finished the game with 30 points and 10 assists. Despite the final result, Ball and teammate Kon Knueppel struggled from beyond the arc during regulation, combining for just 2-of-21 from three-point range. The Hornets as a team shot 17-of-53 from three-point distance through the first four quarters.
Coby White, who was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in February 2026, provided a critical spark off the bench. White scored 19 points, including 15 in the third quarter and a turnaround three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation that forced the game into overtime.
Miles Bridges contributed 28 points and nine rebounds to the Hornets’ effort. For the Miami Heat, Davion Mitchell scored 28 points and Andrew Wiggins added 27. Tyler Herro scored 23 points, including a late corner three and three free throws that briefly gave Miami a 126-125 lead with 8.7 seconds remaining in overtime.
The Heat’s roster was impacted by an injury to Bam Adebayo, who left the game in the second quarter with a lower back injury after being tripped by Ball.
Overcoming Shooting Struggles
The Hornets entered the contest as the No. 1 team in three-pointers made during the regular season, but they faced significant difficulty finding their rhythm from distance for much of the night.
LaMelo Ball
We stuck with it. We grinded it out. We weren’t hitting a lot of 3s. A lot of shots we weren’t hitting, but, like I said, we stuck with it.
The team’s resilience was highlighted by the late-game execution of Ball and the defensive stop by Bridges to preserve the one-point lead.
Roster Development and Scouting
The presence of Kon Knueppel on the 2026 roster stems from a scouting effort led by LaMelo Ball. In April 2025, while Ball was preparing for season-ending arthroscopic surgeries on his right wrist and ankle, he provided input to Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson regarding potential lottery draft targets.
Ball specifically advocated for Knueppel, a Duke prospect, citing the forward’s basketball IQ and elite shooting. The Hornets later used the fourth overall pick in the draft to select Knueppel.
What’s Next for Charlotte
With this victory, the Charlotte Hornets have advanced to play for the final eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. They are scheduled to play on Friday, April 17, 2026, against the loser of the Wednesday matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic.
The Hornets are currently seeking their first full playoff appearance in ten years.