NBA play-in tournament: Portland Trail Blazers clinch playoff spot as Charlotte Hornets stay alive with overtime win

Key Points:

• The Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a comeback 114-110 win over the Phoenix Suns, overcoming an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.
• Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 41 points and 12 assists, including a decisive layup and free throw in the final seconds, while the Suns will now face the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors play-in game for the No. 8 seed.
• In the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime, with LaMelo Ball scoring the winning layup and Miles Bridges blocking a last-second shot to advance.
• Miami's Bam Adebayo suffered a lower back injury after a controversial play involving LaMelo Ball, who apologized but was not penalized; the Heat were eliminated from playoff contention as a result.
• The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on April 19 with multiple games broadcast live on Sky Sports, featuring first-round matchups including the Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the No. 8 seed.