Rockets and Cavaliers secure playoff spots amid offseason changes
Rockets and Cavaliers clinch playoff berths despite Houston roster injuries.
Event / Sports
NBA 2025-2026 Season
Player signings, trades, and roster moves for the 2025-2026 NBA season, including major acquisitions and team restructuring.
5 reported locations
Daily activity
10 articles0 articles
2026-08-02 to 2026-10-30 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 Apr, 05:06 UTC
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What happened
Miami Heat lose play-in tournament game 127-126 in overtime to Charlotte Hornets
The Miami Heat lost to the Charlotte Hornets 127-126 in overtime during a play-in tournament game. The loss eliminated Miami's season. LaMelo Ball made the decisive layup for Charlotte in overtime.
LaMelo Ball fined $60,000 by NBA for flagrant foul and profanity
LaMelo Ball was fined $35,000 for the flagrant foul on Bam Adebayo and an additional $25,000 for using profanity during a postgame interview. Despite the fines, Ball remained eligible to play in the Hornets' elimination game against Orlando on Friday.
Bam Adebayo injured in second quarter and does not return
Bam Adebayo, Miami's best player, suffered a back injury early in the second quarter of the play-in tournament game and did not return to play, forcing the Heat to compete without their key player.
NBA rules LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for flagrant foul on Bam Adebayo
The NBA determined that Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball committed a flagrant foul, penalty two, when he tugged on Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo's ankle during a play-in tournament game on Tuesday. The foul should have resulted in Ball's ejection but was not called in real time. Adebayo suffered a back injury on the play and did not return to the game.
LaMelo Ball not called for foul on play that injured Adebayo
LaMelo Ball was not called for a foul on the play in which he tripped Bam Adebayo, and the play could not be reviewed because the officials did not stop play immediately.
Bam Adebayo injured in Heat vs. Hornets play-in game after LaMelo Ball trip
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo was injured in the second quarter of a play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets when Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball tripped him while on the ground after a missed shot attempt. Adebayo landed hard on his lower back and was taken to the locker room after being attended to by trainers.
Bam Adebayo ruled out for remainder of play-in game
The Miami Heat announced that Bam Adebayo would not return to the play-in game against Charlotte following his injury in the second quarter.
Bam Adebayo exits Miami Heat play-in game with lower back injury
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo exited the team's play-in tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets early in the second quarter after suffering a lower back injury from a hard fall. Adebayo had recorded six points and three rebounds before leaving the game. The Heat were the 10th seed participating in the play-in tournament for the fourth consecutive season.
Adebayo listed as questionable to return due to lower back injury
NBA on Prime sideline reporter Cassidy Hubbarth reported that Bam Adebayo was questionable to return for the Miami Heat due to a lower back injury sustained in the second quarter. Adebayo went to the locker room for evaluation and did not return for the remainder of the half.
LaMelo Ball involved in play that caused Adebayo's injury
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball was involved in the play that resulted in Bam Adebayo's fall and injury. During a drive to the basket, Ball appeared to swipe or yank Adebayo's leg while both players were on the court, causing Adebayo to fall hard on his back. Officials did not review the play for potential fouls due to a change of possession in the sequence.
LaMelo Ball contributes 19 points and 6 assists in Hornets victory
LaMelo Ball scored 19 points and made five 3-pointers while adding seven rebounds and six assists for the Charlotte Hornets in their 110-96 win over the Knicks.
Mikal Bridges extends consecutive games played streak to 638 games
Mikal Bridges extended his consecutive regular-season games played streak to 638 games with a brief appearance in the Knicks game. He is the NBA's active leader in consecutive games played. Coach Mike Brown replaced him with Jordan Clarkson just 23 seconds into the contest to preserve the streak.
New York Knicks clinch third seed in Eastern Conference
The New York Knicks clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference and will face the sixth seed in a first-round playoff series beginning Saturday or Sunday.
Charlotte Hornets will face Miami Heat in play-in tournament matchup
The Charlotte Hornets will host the Miami Heat in a ninth versus tenth seed play-in game on Wednesday following their victory over the Knicks.
Charlotte Hornets defeat New York Knicks 110-96 to secure ninth seed in Eastern Conference play-in
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 110-96 on April 13, 2026. Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, and Coby White each scored 19 points for Charlotte. The Hornets shot 45.9% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range. This victory secured the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for Charlotte (44-38 record). The Knicks (53-29) rested most of their regulars after clinching the third seed.
Cleveland Cavaliers maintain fourth seed in Eastern Conference
The Cleveland Cavaliers, seeded fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 51-30 record, secured home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. They will face either the Atlanta Hawks or Toronto Raptors in their first-round matchup.
CJ McCollum scores 29 points in Hawks victory
CJ McCollum led the Hawks with 29 points, 25 of which came in the first half. McCollum was highly efficient, making 6 of 8 three-point attempts during the game.
Atlanta Hawks clinch NBA playoff spot with 124-102 victory over Cleveland Cavaliers
The Atlanta Hawks defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 124-102 on Friday night, clinching a playoff berth. The Hawks finished with a 46-35 record and will finish either fifth or sixth in the Eastern Conference. This marks the Hawks' return to the playoffs after missing the postseason in the previous two seasons.
James Harden reaches 10,000 career free throw attempts milestone
James Harden became the seventh player in NBA history to attempt 10,000 career free throws, reaching the milestone during the first quarter of the Cavaliers-Hawks game. LeBron James remains the only active player with more free throw attempts than Harden.
Atlanta Hawks secure Southeast Division title
The Atlanta Hawks clinched the Southeast Division championship with their victory over the Cavaliers. The Hawks' strong performance since the All-Star break (20-8 record) helped secure the division title.
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2 alternative perspectives
Doncic sidelined by left hamstring injury in Thunder blowout loss
Doncic injured his left hamstring during the Lakers' blowout defeat to the Thunder in Oklahoma City.
Thunder dominate Lakers with commanding 43-point victory
Thunder dominated Lakers 139-96 behind Gilgeous-Alexander's 28 points.