LaMelo Ball’s go-ahead layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime lifted the Charlotte Hornets to a 127-126 victory over the Miami Heat at Spectrum Center on Tuesday night. Ball finished with 30 points in a wild, back-and-forth play-in thriller that keeps Charlotte’s postseason hopes alive.
How the Finish Unfolded
Coby White drilled a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game at 114, dragging the Hornets out of the grave and sending regulation to overtime. Tyler Herro had a clean look at the buzzer that came up short, and the stage was set for extra time, as reported by WBTV.
Overtime Drama
In the extra period, Herro rattled off six straight points during a Charlotte turnover stretch to give Miami a 126-125 edge. That only set up Ball’s hero turn, as he sliced through traffic for a contested layup that put the Hornets back on top with 4.7 seconds left. Miles Bridges then chased down Miami’s final attempt and recorded a game-saving block to preserve the 127-126 finish, according to CBS Sports.
Injuries and Standouts
Miami center Bam Adebayo exited in the second quarter with a lower‑back injury and did not return, a significant loss for the Heat down the stretch, per Sports Illustrated. Ball paced Charlotte with 30 points while Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel supplied early bursts, and the official box score on NBA.com lists the full stat lines.
What Comes Next
The Hornets will need one more win to reach the NBA playoffs. The winner of Tuesday’s game will travel to face the loser of Wednesday’s No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup to decide the 8th seed on Friday, per CBS Sports. Charlotte will try to regroup before that next elimination game, buoyed by a raucous crowd and a late-night finish that will not be forgotten anytime soon.
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