The Portland Trail Blazers secured a playoff berth with a late comeback against the Phoenix Suns, while the Charlotte Hornets survived an overtime classic to advance in the NBA play‑in tournament with a 127-126 win over the Miami Heat.
Play-in format and next steps
The seventh-versus-eighth play-in game awards the winner the No. 7 seed in each conference. Portland’s victory over Phoenix locks them into the Western Conference No. 7 spot. The Suns, as the losing team, will meet the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers (9) vs Golden State Warriors (10) game for the final No. 8 seed.
In the East, ninth-seeded Charlotte will now play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic game for a chance to claim the No. 8 seed.
Portland rallies from double-digit deficit to clinch No. 7
Portland erased an 11-point fourth-quarter hole to beat Phoenix 114-110 and secure the No. 7 seed. Deni Avdija led the Blazers with 41 points and 12 assists, drilling a go-ahead three-pointer with 16.1 seconds left. After Jordan Goodwin’s layup put Phoenix up 110-109 with 32 seconds to play, Avdija drove, scored, drew a foul and converted the free throw to make it 112-110.
Phoenix had one last chance, but Jalen Green’s three-pointer rimmed out; Goodwin’s offensive rebound was stripped by Matisse Thybulle, and Portland held on. The Blazers will open the first round against the San Antonio Spurs, the West’s No. 2 seed.
Portland had trailed 83-82 entering the fourth despite struggling from long range earlier (1-of-11 in the third). Phoenix burst out of the break with an 11-0 run to lead 93-83, and Royce O’Neale’s steal-and-three put the Suns up 98-87 with 7:13 remaining before Portland’s comeback swung the game back in their favor.
Hornets beat Heat in overtime after late LaMelo layup
Charlotte edged Miami 127-126 in overtime when LaMelo Ball converted a go-ahead layup with 4.7 seconds left. The Heat lost Bam Adebayo early after a collision on a play in which Ball appeared to trip or grab Adebayo’s leg; Adebayo exited with a lower back injury and did not return. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called for an ejection on the play, but no foul was assessed. Ball, who finished with 30 points, apologised afterward and said he was disoriented after taking a hit to the head on the drive.
Charlotte rallied in the third quarter, fuelled by Coby White’s three-pointers, while Miami responded in the fourth with consecutive threes from Andrew Wiggins. White tied the game late to force overtime. Miles Bridges preserved the Hornets’ advance with a game-sealing block at the buzzer, eliminating Miami from playoff contention.
How and when to watch (BST)
The 2026 NBA playoffs begin on Sky Sports on Sunday, April 19, with four live games on Sky Sports Action starting at 6pm BST:
– 6pm — East No. 7 @ Boston Celtics (2)
– 8.30pm — West No. 8 @ Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
– 11pm — East No. 8 @ Detroit Pistons (1)
– 2am — Portland Trail Blazers (7) @ San Antonio Spurs (2)
Sky Sports will also carry the Western Conference Finals live from May 20. You can watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs live on Sky Sports, or stream without a contract on NOW.
Western Conference first-round matchups
– Oklahoma City Thunder (1) vs 8th seed (TBC)
– San Antonio Spurs (2) vs Portland Trail Blazers (7)
– Denver Nuggets (3) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (6)
– Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs Houston Rockets (5)
Play-in results (West)
1. Portland Trail Blazers (7) 114-110 Phoenix Suns (8)
2. Los Angeles Clippers (9) vs Golden State Warriors (10)
3. Phoenix Suns vs Winner Game 2 (for final No. 8 seed)
Eastern Conference first-round matchups
– Detroit Pistons (1) vs 8th seed (TBC)
– Boston Celtics (2) vs 7th seed (TBC)
– New York Knicks (3) vs Atlanta Hawks (6)
– Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Toronto Raptors (5)
Play-in results (East)
1. Philadelphia 76ers (7) vs Orlando Magic (8)
2. Charlotte Hornets (9) 127-126 Miami Heat (10)
3. Loser Game 1 vs Charlotte Hornets (for final No. 8 seed)
The Blazers’ late surge and the Hornets’ overtime dramatics set the stage for a compelling first round as the full playoff bracket starts next weekend.