Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat 2026 NBA Play-In Preview

Alta Sports2 days ago · 548 views

Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat 2026 NBA Play-In Preview image

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

It’s win or go home time for the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat this coming Wednesday (PH time) when they square off in the 2026 NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The ninth-seeded Hornets will host the No. 10 seed Heat in this contest, with the winner of that clash advancing to play for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.

Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The Hornets qualified for the Play-In Tournament for the first time since 2022 after finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 44-38 record. Brandon Miller powered Charlotte’s resurgence, averaging a team-best 20.2 points per game. LaMelo Ball also was a vital cog for the Hornets, averaging 20.1 points and a team-best 7.1 assists per outing.

It was the play, however, of rookie Kon Knueppel that helped turn the Hornets’ fortunes around. He was Charlotte’s third-leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points through 80 games. He also made history, becoming the first rookie to lead the league in 3-pointers made (273).

Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images

They will have their work cut out for them, however, against the Heat, who were 3-1 in their past four meetings this season. Miami stamped its class against Charlotte, winning their first three matchups by an average of 17.7 points. The Hornets avoided the season sweep, crushing the Heat 136-106 in their final matchup last March 17.

Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo have been the offensive stalwarts for Miami, each averaging above 20 points this season. Pelle Larsson, who averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the Heat this campaign, is listed as questionable for the game against Charlotte due to a left leg contusion.

The last time the Hornets reached the playoffs was back in 2016 when Kemba Walker was still part of their roster. The Heat have made the playoffs in each of the previous six seasons, with Miami losing to Cleveland via a four-game sweep in the first round last year.

All comments 15