The Portland Trail Blazers locked in a postseason slot on Tuesday after staging a dramatic comeback against the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets advanced further in the NBA play‑in tournament by edging the Miami Heat in an overtime showdown. In the Western Conference showdown, the seventh‑seeded Suns faced the eighth‑seeded Trail Blazers with the winner automatically earning the No. 7 seed and a guaranteed place in the playoffs.
Portland emerged victorious, 114‑110, after erasing an 11‑point deficit in the final quarter. The loss sends Phoenix to another play‑in game, where they will meet either the ninth‑seeded Los Angeles Clippers or the tenth‑seeded Golden State Warriors for a chance to claim the No.
8 seed. On the East Coast, the ninth‑seeded Hornets will next confront the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers‑Orlando Magic matchup in the play‑in’s seventh‑versus‑eighth game. Charlotte’s 127‑126 overtime win over Miami not only kept their postseason hopes alive but also showcased a clutch performance from LaMelo Ball, who delivered the decisive layup with just 4.7 seconds remaining in the extra period.
Key performances and turning points Portland’s Deni Avdija was the catalyst for the Blazers’ rally, pouring in 41 points—including a go‑ahead three‑pointer with 16.1 seconds left—and dishing out 12 assists. After Jordan Goodwin’s layup gave the Suns a 110‑109 lead with 32 seconds on the clock, Avdija answered with a powerful drive, finishing at the rim, drawing a foul and sinking the free throw to put Portland ahead 112‑110.
A final three‑point attempt by Jalen Green missed, and Goodwin’s offensive rebound was stripped by Matisse Thybulle, sealing the victory for the Blazers. The Blazers entered the fourth quarter trailing 83‑82 despite a dismal three‑point shooting night (1‑of‑11 in the third). Phoenix briefly seized a 93‑83 lead after an 11‑0 run sparked by Green’s early fourth‑quarter jumper.
Royce O’Neale’s steal and subsequent three‑pointer extended the Suns’ advantage to 98‑87 with 7:13 left, but Portland’s relentless defense and fast‑break execution sparked the comeback that ultimately won them the game. In Charlotte, the Hornets overcame an early setback when Miami lost Bam Adebayo to injury.
Despite Adebayo’s exit, the Heat held a lead until the Hornets rallied in the third quarter, with Coby White igniting the comeback through a barrage of three‑pointers. Miami responded in the fourth, highlighted by Andrew Wiggins’ back‑to‑back threes that reclaimed the lead.
White’s late jumper forced overtime, where Ball’s 30‑point night culminated in the winning layup. Controversy surrounded the game when Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was accused by Miami coach Erik Spoelstra of tripping Adebayo, allegedly causing the big man’s lower‑back injury.
Ball fell after missing a shot early in the second quarter, appeared to reach out with his left arm, and made contact with Adebayo’s left leg, sending the veteran to the floor. No foul was called, and Adebayo eventually walked off the court under his own power but did not return. Ball later apologized, explaining he was disoriented after being struck on the head during a drive. The Hornets’ victory was sealed when Miles Bridges blocked a Heat shot at the buzzer, eliminating Miami from playoff contention.
Implications for the postseason Portland’s win secures the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first‑round clash with the No. 2 seeded San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers will enjoy home‑court advantage for the opening game of the series, a significant boost after a season marked by inconsistency.
Meanwhile, the Suns must regroup quickly for their play‑in showdown against either the Clippers or Warriors. A win would grant them the No. 8 seed and a more favorable matchup in the first round, while another loss could see them miss the playoffs altogether.
In the East, the Hornets now await the outcome of the 76ers‑Magic game. A victory would pit Charlotte against the winner of that contest in the next play‑in round, bringing them one step closer to the traditional playoff bracket. The Heat’s season ends abruptly, leaving Miami to assess the impact of Adebayo’s injury and the coaching staff’s decisions moving forward.
Broadcast information The 2026 NBA playoffs commence on Sky Sports this Sunday, April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action beginning at 6 p.m. British Summer Time.
The schedule is as follows: - 6 p.m.: Eastern Conference No. 7 seed at Boston Celtics (2) - 8:30 p.m.: Western Conference No. 8 seed at Oklahoma City Thunder (1) - 11 p.m.: Eastern Conference No.
8 seed at Detroit Pistons (1) - 2 a.m.: Portland Trail Blazers (7) at San Antonio Spurs (2) Sky Sports will also broadcast all Western Conference Finals live from May 20 onward. Additional play‑in matchups include: - Phoenix Suns (7) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (9) or Golden State Warriors (10) - Philadelphia 76ers (7) vs. Orlando Magic (8) - Charlotte Hornets (9) vs.
Miami Heat (10) (already completed) Fans can watch the action on Sky Sports, stream via NOW with a contract‑free option, or follow live highlights and video recaps online. The upcoming weeks promise intense competition as teams fight for positioning, and the Trail Blazers and Hornets have positioned themselves as intriguing underdogs to watch in the postseason.