LaMelo Ball’s Heroic Drive Secures Hornets’ Thrilling Play-In Victory

Charlotte prevailed in a dramatic play-in game, beating Miami 127-126 in overtime. The win eliminated the Heat from postseason contention on Tuesday night.

How the finale unfolded

LaMelo Ball drove for a leaning right-handed layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime. That basket gave Charlotte the lead after Miami had surged ahead on free throws seconds earlier.

Miles Bridges sealed the result with a game-saving block on Davion Mitchell’s attempt at the buzzer. Players and fans erupted as the Hornets celebrated the stop.

Crucial sequence in overtime

Ball’s earlier layup put Charlotte up by five with 26 seconds remaining in OT. He then committed a turnover and fouled Tyler Herro on a 3-point attempt.

Herro made all three free throws to push Miami ahead 126-125 with 8.7 seconds left. After a timeout, Ball answered with his go-ahead finish and the franchise held on.

Player performances

• LaMelo Ball finished with 30 points and 10 assists. He became the fourth player with at least 30 points and 10 assists in a play-in game.
• Miles Bridges scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He delivered the final defensive play.
• Davion Mitchell led Miami with 28 points, while Andrew Wiggins added 27.
• Tyler Herro scored 23 points for the Heat.
• Coby White contributed 19 points and made the late regulation 3 that forced overtime. White was acquired midseason from Chicago.

Play-in milestone

Ball joined Josh Giddey (2023, Oklahoma City), Kyrie Irving (2022, Brooklyn), and Damian Lillard (2020, Portland) in the 30-and-10 play-in club. It was a rare statistical feat in play-in history.

Turning points and injuries

Charlotte staged a late third-quarter rally behind White. He hit multiple threes during a 10-0 run that shifted momentum.

Miami built a 102-95 lead early in the fourth, fueled by two long-range makes from Wiggins. Herro then missed a potential game-winner in regulation when his 3 hit the back iron.

Heat center Bam Adebayo exited with a lower-back injury in the second quarter. The injury occurred after a collision with Ball.

What this means

The Hornets claimed their first postseason home win in ten years. Charlotte still must win one more game to reach the playoffs.

Charlotte will travel Friday to face the loser of Wednesday’s Philadelphia-Orlando matchup. That game will decide the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed.

The Heat will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

Scenes after the buzzer

Ball celebrated the clutch moment with a midcourt flex as teammates mobbed him. Bridges’ block triggered a frenzied response from the crowd and locker room.

This report incorporates material from The Associated Press and ESPN Research. Filmogaz.com covered the game and provided the summary above.

LaMelo Ball delivered a heroic drive late, helping the Hornets secure a thrilling play-in victory.