Portland Trail Blazers Secure NBA Playoff Berth as Charlotte Hornets Advance in Play-in Tournament

The Portland Trail Blazers have booked their spot in the NBA playoffs with a thrilling comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets have progressed in the play-in tournament following a nail-biting overtime win against the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers' win, led by Deni Avdija's 41 points, secured the No 7 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. In the Eastern Conference, the Hornets will face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers' meeting with the Orlando Magic after LaMelo Ball scored the winning layup with 4.7 seconds remaining in overtime to seal a 127-126 victory over the Heat. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Sky Sports this Sunday, with four live games scheduled, including the Trail Blazers' clash with the Spurs.