The Portland Trail Blazers have clinched a playoff spot after a thrilling comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets advanced in the play-in tournament with an overtime win against the Miami Heat. The Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija scored 41 points, including a crucial three-pointer, to help his team overcome an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter and secure the No 7 seed in the Western Conference. The Hornets, meanwhile, edged out the Heat 127-126 in overtime, with LaMelo Ball scoring the winning layup with 4.7 seconds remaining.
The Blazers will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round, while the Hornets will play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers' meeting with the Orlando Magic. The 2026 NBA playoffs are set to begin on Sky Sports, with four live games scheduled for the first day.