The Charlotte Hornets haven't made the playoffs since Kemba Walker led them to the No. 6 seed in 2016. Charlotte's new superstar point guard, LaMelo Ball, is ever so close to snapping the playoff drought.
In 2016, the Hornets season ended at the hands of Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in a thrilling seven-game series. In 2026, the Hornets ended Miami's season in an exciting overtime finish in the Play-In.
Now, the Hornets just need one more win to reach the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Ball scored 30 and dished out 12 assists while Miles Bridges and Brandon Miller each dropped 23+.
This Hornets team is extremely dangerous offensively. Kon Knueppel had one of his worst games of the year, but Coby White stepped up and nailed five threes - including the game-tying fadeaway three with less than 15 seconds remaining in regulation. They have dynamic scorers everywhere, and Moussa Diabate was a beast on the offensive glass late in the game.
Charlotte will now wait to play the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 Play-In game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic tonight. If Charlotte wins, they'll break the longest playoff-less streak in the NBA.
As well as last night went for Charlotte, however, Ball is potentially facing some consequences for taking out Heat star center Bam Adebayo in the first half.
Adebayo was ruled out for the rest of the game after his collision with Ball, in which LaMelo used his left arm to seemingly trip Adebayo, forcing him to fall hard on his tailbone and miss the rest of the game.
This wasn't the first case of Ball taking out Adebayo's legs, as he used the same arm to attempt to trip Adebayo in a game in 2024. Both instances came when Ball felt as if he was fouled, and in retaliation, stuck his arm out in the direct path of Adebayo's legs.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame that Ball should've been ejected, and plenty of discourse has sparked about if Ball should face any penalties.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported that the NBA will "review LaMelo Ball for taking out [the] ankle of Adebayo," and that a ruling is "expected before the Hornets' final Play-In bout on Friday."
It's a tough decision for the NBA - nobody would enjoy a suspension for Ball in the Hornets' upcoming most important game of the season on Friday, though doing nothing would also be a bad look for the league. Perhaps a fine and a warning is a good middle ground.
Regardless, the Hornets will still get their chance to make the playoffs. Here's a look at the odds for Charlotte to qualify on bet365:
Charlotte Hornets Odds to Make the Playoffs - Apr. 15
Yes | -130 |
No | +100 |
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