Trail Blazers Secure NBA Playoff Berth as Hornets Outlast Heat in Overtime Thriller

The Portland Trail Blazers have booked their spot in the NBA playoffs following a dramatic comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets have advanced in the play-in tournament with a nail-biting overtime win against the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers' win secured them the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round matchup against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the Hornets will face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic game in the next round of the play-in tournament. Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 41 points, including a crucial three-pointer with 16.1 seconds remaining, as they overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Suns 114-110. In the Eastern Conference, LaMelo Ball scored the winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime as the Hornets edged out the Heat 127-126. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, with four live games scheduled.