LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets appeared to be on the ropes during Tuesday’s do-or-die ninth-place vs. 10th-place home play-in matchup against the Miami Heat. However, behind a series of clutch late-game shot-making in the fourth quarter and overtime, they prevailed 127-126.
Ball’s game-winner in the final seconds sent the NBA world into a frenzy as the fan favorite Hornets survived to fight another day.
LaMelo Ball Plays Hero for Hornets in Must-Win Game
With Ball and Hornets rookie phenom Kon Knueppel both having off shooting nights, veteran guard Coby White came through with a clutch turnaround 3-pointer to tie the game at 114-114 with 10.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, forcing overtime.
The high-difficulty shot paved the way for Ball to take over in the extra period. The one-time All-Star hit a tough, off-balance floater to extend the Hornets’ lead to 125-120 with 26.0 seconds remaining.
However, a fadeaway corner triple from Heat star shooting guard Tyler Herro and three big-time free throws on an ensuing possession after Ball committed a costly turnover and foul put Miami back in front 126-125 with just 8.7 seconds on the clock.
With Charlotte’s season on the line, Ball came through with a driving game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds to go. With no timeouts remaining, the Heat were unable to get a good look off at the other end, with Hornets forward Miles Bridges blocking Miami guard Davion Mitchell as time expired.
Ball finished with a game-high 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists despite shooting just 12-for-31 overall (38.7%) and 2-for-16 from 3 (12.5%), “redeeming” himself among the NBA X community.
“LaMelo Ball redeemed himself in the biggest way … This game was wild,” Dallas Mavericks reporter Landon Thomas erupted.
LaMelo Ball redeemed himself in the biggest way…
This game was wild.
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) April 15, 2026
“Zombie Heat tried to do it again with that black magic thank god. LaMelo!!,” Los Angeles Clippers reporter Justin W quipped, citing the Heat’s vast experience edge.
Zombie Heat tried to do it again with that black magic thank god.
Lamelo!!
— Justin W (@LAClippersFilm) April 15, 2026
“Sheesh what a tremendous basketball game,” the Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak gushed.
Sheesh what a tremendous basketball game.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) April 15, 2026
“LaMelo Redemption!” the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy lauded Ball.
LaMelo Redemption! https://t.co/Bj8iKmensV
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) April 15, 2026
“The NBA is a great product when both teams on the floor are trying to win,” NBA reporter Adam Spolane opined, alluding to the league’s tanking issues.
The NBA is a great product when both teams on the floor are trying to win
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 15, 2026
The Hornets next face the loser of Wednesday’s play-in showdown between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic on Friday night for a chance to secure the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed. A playoff berth would mark Ball’s first, as the franchise last made it to the playoffs in 2016.
