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

The Portland Trail Blazers have secured a spot in the NBA playoffs following a thrilling comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, the Charlotte Hornets have advanced in the play-in tournament with a nail-biting overtime win against the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers' victory, led by Deni Avdija's 41 points, including a crucial three-pointer, clinched the No 7 seed in the Western Conference. They will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Hornets, fueled by LaMelo Ball's winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, will proceed to play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers' matchup against the Orlando Magic. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Sky Sports, featuring four live games on the first day, including the Trail Blazers' encounter with the Spurs.