NBA Basketball 8 Hours

Last updated: April 15, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Western Conference Play-In Shakes Out

The Portland Trail Blazers secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs following a dramatic comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns, 114-110. Deni Avdija powered the surge, dropping 41 points and erasing an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit in the tightly contested battle initially flagged as close. Elsewhere in the West, the Lakers continue preparations for their first-round matchup against the Houston Rockets, though coach JJ Redick confirmed there remains no updated timeline regarding the status of star guard Luka Doncic.

Eastern Conference Thriller Marred by Technical Issues

The Charlotte Hornets ousted the Miami Heat in a frantic Eastern Conference play-in game decided in overtime, propelled by a go-ahead bucket from LaMelo Ball with 4.7 seconds remaining, followed by a game-sealing block from Miles Bridges at the buzzer. However, the overtime period was marred by technical difficulties as the Amazon Prime Video broadcast stream cut out for almost two full minutes, causing viewers to miss key action, including a decisive Hornets possession. In unrelated basketball news, rap artist J. Cole concluded his brief professional playing stint overseas, announcing the end of his time with a Chinese pro hoops team after appearing in only a single game.