Blazers Secure Playoff Berth as Hornets Advance in Play-in Tournament

The Portland Trail Blazers have booked their spot in the playoffs with a thrilling comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets have progressed in the NBA's play-in tournament following a nail-biting overtime win against the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers' win, led by Deni Avdija's impressive 41-point performance, including a decisive three-pointer with just 16.1 seconds left, sealed their position as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. As a result, they will face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Hornets' victory, capped by LaMelo Ball's winning layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime, has advanced them to the next stage of the play-in tournament. Ball's performance was overshadowed by controversy, however, as his actions led to an injury for the Heat's Bam Adebayo, prompting a heated response from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Sky Sports, with a packed schedule of live games starting on April 19.