{"id":393523,"date":"2026-04-15T14:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/393523\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T14:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T14:38:16","slug":"starting-5-sofi-play-in-tournament-opens-with-pair-of-thrillers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/393523\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: SoFi Play-In Tournament opens with pair of thrillers"},"content":{"rendered":"

How did the first night of the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament start?<\/p>\n

With the first game-winner inside the final 10 seconds in Play-In history.<\/p>\n

Coming up tonight? Two more games on Prime \u2014 one win and in, the other win or go home.<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Instant Classic: Ball\u2019s OT winner caps epic win-or-go-home Play-In opener<\/p>\n

Blazing Finish: Avdija\u2019s 41-point takeover fuels late rally, sends Portland to Playoffs<\/p>\n

Resilient Winners: Hornets & Blazers rise through adversity for hard-fought dubs<\/p>\n

Magic at 76ers: Maxey\u2019s Sixers, Paolo\u2019s Magic each hoping their time is now<\/p>\n

Warriors at Clippers: Kawhi meets Steph as LA & Golden State fight for their seasons<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament continues tonight on Prime as the Sixers host the Magic (7:30 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>), before the Warriors visit the Clippers (10 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Play-In concludes Friday on Prime after no games Thursday, with the Hornets playing the loser of Magic-Sixers and the Suns playing the winner of Warriors-Clippers.<\/p>\n

See the full Play-In format here<\/a> and check out the Playoff Hub<\/a> for all things postseason.<\/p>\n

\"NBA<\/p>\n

1. CHARLOTTE SPECIAL: LAMELO LIFTS HORNETS IN OT THRILLER<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Win or go home.<\/p>\n

Those were the stakes in the opening game of the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament between No. 9 Charlotte and No. 10 Miami.<\/p>\n

And with two seasons on the line, and neither side giving an inch, basketball fans got it all:<\/p>\n

Sixteen lead changes
\nSeventeen ties
\nZero double-digit leads
\nSix 20-point scorers
\nOne overtime
\nTwo game-tying or go-ahead shots in the final 12 seconds
\nOne instant classic<\/p>\n

It ended with LaMelo Ball \u2013 and a block.<\/p>\n

Hornets 127, Heat 126 (OT): After an electric 4th quarter, Charlotte led 125-120 in OT with 26 seconds left, only for Tyler Herro (23 pts, 6 ast) to erase the deficit with six straight points to give Miami a 1-point lead with nine ticks to play.<\/p>\n

But it was too much time for Ball (30 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast<\/a>), who overcame a cold shooting night with the game\u2019s biggest bucket \u2013 a go-ahead driving layup with four seconds left \u2013 before Miles Bridges\u2019 game-sealing block stamped a wild win. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Fuse Lit: Despite losing Bam Adebayo to a back injury early in the 2nd quarter, Herro and Davion Mitchell (28 pts, 6 ast) helped Miami to a two-point lead at the half.<\/p>\n

Then, mayhem.<\/p>\n

White Hot: Coby White answered for Charlotte, scoring 11 straight in a 37-point 3rd-quarter, capped by a buzzer-beating triple to go up six entering the 4th
\nHeat Swing: Miami responded in the 4th, with Andrew Wiggins (27 pts, 7 reb) sparking a 25-11 burst to take a six-point lead with 2:16 left
\nNo Quit Hornets: Charlotte wouldn\u2019t go away. Down four, Brandon Miller drilled a 3 with 19 ticks left, and after Miami split a pair at the line, White came through again, sinking a game-tying trey with 10.9 on the clock to force OT \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n

\"Coby<\/p>\n

Charlotte was jumping. The Hornets were buzzing. But the Heat weren\u2019t done.<\/p>\n

Bridges put Charlotte up five with 1:33 left in OT. But Davion Mitchell answered with a 2
\nBall pushed it back to five with 0:26 left. Herro answered with a 3
\nThen, a Miami stop \u2013 and Herro to the line: cash, cash, cash. A 1-point Heat lead with nine ticks left<\/p>\n

Charlotte\u2019s season was on the line. And the ball went back to Ball.<\/p>\n

Playing in his third career postseason game, the 24-year-old All-Star was just 2-of-16 from deep \u2014 his worst 3-point shooting night of the season.<\/p>\n

So he went straight to the rim.<\/p>\n

\"LaMelo<\/p>\n

Ball caught the inbound, fought through contact, then turned the corner to drop in the go-ahead bucket with 4.7 left.<\/p>\n

The Spectrum Center erupted, while Bridges hustled back for the game-sealing block at the other end \u2013 extending Charlotte\u2019s season with an unforgettable dub<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat shows growth,\u201d said Bridges on the winner. \u201cBefore \u2018Melo would\u2019ve shot a stepback 3 to try to win the game, but he has a different sense of urgency \u2026 and it\u2019s on full display.\u201d
\nLaMelo\u2019s Mindset On The Shot: \u201cI just gotta win the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up Next: The Hornets face the loser of tonight\u2019s Magic-Sixers game on Friday (7:30 ET, Prime), which will decide the East\u2019s No. 8 seed. The loser of Friday\u2019s matchup is eliminated.<\/p>\n

2. BLAZER BOOST: AVDIJA POWERS PORTLAND PAST PHOENIX<\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

One last-second thriller wasn\u2019t enough.<\/p>\n

After LaMelo sent Charlotte into a frenzy, Deni Avdija silenced the Valley \u2013 and sent Portland to the Playoffs.<\/p>\n

Blazers 114, Suns 110: Avdija went off<\/a> for 41 points, 7 boards and 12 dimes, taking over in the 4th to will the Blazers back from an 11-point deficit, capped by a go-ahead and-one with 16 seconds left to edge Phoenix in another nailbiter. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Deni<\/p>\n

Blazing Start: Portland jumped out to a 55-41 lead in the 2nd quarter, but Phoenix clawed back behind Jalen Green (35 pts, 5 reb) and Devin Booker (22 pts, 4 ast), who got the Suns within three at the half.<\/p>\n

Suns Spark: Phoenix came out firing in the final frame, with Green and Dillon Brooks (20 pts, 7 reb) going on a personal 10-0 run to seize control
\nAvdija Answer: That\u2019s when Avdija went to work, ending the run with a turnaround jumper, as he scored or assisted on 16 of Portland\u2019s next 24 points<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the Blazers were down just one with a minute left \u2013 and Avdija wasn\u2019t done.<\/p>\n

The Go-Ahead: After forcing a stop, Avdija attacked, weaving through defenders for a Eurostep finish to put Portland up one with 37 seconds left
\nThe Game-Winner: When Jordan Goodwin reclaimed the lead for Phoenix, Avdija answered again, shaking multiple Suns for the bucket and the foul \u2013 Blazers 112, Suns 110<\/p>\n

\"[<\/p>\n

The Final Stand: Sixteen seconds remained, and the Blazers needed one more stop.<\/p>\n

They got it behind their two vets, as Jrue Holiday forced a Green miss, before Jerami Grant came away with the steal and breakaway slam \u2013 punching Portland\u2019s ticket<\/a> to the Playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a game of runs,\u201d said Holiday on the finish. \u201cWe knew our run was going to come \u2026 and it came at the end of the game, with Deni making play after play.\u201d<\/p>\n

The run highlights a career year for Avdija in his second season with Portland, adding to his All-Star leap by becoming the first player to post 40+ pts and 10+ ast in a Play-In game.<\/p>\n

That included 14 points and 3 dimes in the 4th, willing the Blazers to their first Playoff berth in five years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so happy for the guys,\u201d said Avdija postgame. \u201cWe worked so hard. We had the ups and downs \u2026 to go to the Playoffs, it\u2019s the best thing that\u2019s ever happened to me in my career<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Up Next: Portland will open its Playoff run on Sunday in San Antonio (9 ET, NBC) in the West\u2019s No. 2 vs. 7 series. The Suns will face the winner of tonight\u2019s Warriors-Clippers matchup on Friday (10 ET, Prime) in a win-or-go-home showdown for the No. 8 seed.<\/p>\n

3. RESILIENT WINNERS: HORNETS & BLAZERS\u2019 GROWTH SHINE<\/p>\n

\"Miles<\/p>\n

Two-hundred-plus 3s. From three players apiece.<\/p>\n

Kon Knueppel (273), LaMelo Ball (272), Brandon Miller (204).<\/p>\n

The 2025-26 Hornets were just the fourth team ever to do this in a season.<\/p>\n

But in last night\u2019s Play-In game, that sharpshooting trio went 7-for-32 from deep.<\/p>\n

Adversity like that was nothing new for Charlotte, who grew to host Tuesday\u2019s elimination game from a 16-28 record on Jan. 21.<\/p>\n

From that point on, the Hornets had the 3rd-best record in the league (28-10), starting with a nine-game win streak, their longest since 1999
\nStill On Target: Since Jan. 22, Charlotte led the league with 17.8 3s per game, which is right where they ended up Tuesday (18), thanks to 10 combined makes from Coby White and Miles Bridges
\n\u201cWe had such a great year. We started off bad, and we banded together and we created a culture here,\u201d Bridges said postgame. \u201cSo we want to win for our fans, win for ourselves and get a taste of Playoff basketball.\u201d
\nNext Man Up: The two guards showed why Charlotte added White at the deadline, as he drilled 43 3s in 21 games after arriving Feb. 24 \u2013 none bigger than Tuesday\u2019s to force OT
\nBig-Time Moments: White outscored Miami 14-7 in the final 4:05 of the 3rd, before Bridges\u2019 13 points led Charlotte across the 4th and OT, with his block at the final buzzer sealing the win<\/p>\n

\"Jrue<\/p>\n

Adaptability was also on display across the bracket in the West\u2019s No. 7 vs. 8 Play-In game.<\/p>\n

Portland faced its largest deficit (11 pts) midway through the 4th after a 29-10 Suns charge, but leaned on the lessons of the team\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of all, it\u2019s pride, to come out here and play, knowing that at All-Star break, this is the position we wanted to be in,\u201d said Jrue Holiday postgame. \u201cAnd we took care of business.\u201d
\nA 4-1 start under interim head coach Tiago Splitter lagged to a 10-18 stretch through November and December, forcing the team to climb
\nThe Blazers went 15-11 after the All-Star break to get over .500 and make their first postseason since 2021
\n\u201cI\u2019m happy for them,\u201d Splitter said. \u201cBeing in the Playoffs, that\u2019s a great accomplishment for this group.\u201d
\n\u201cThis group is very resilient, I think we showed that in the 4th quarter, just believing in ourselves and getting it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0TONIGHT IN THE EAST, WIN-AND-IN: MAGIC AT SIXERS<\/p>\n

\"Paolo<\/p>\n

Two teams that battled injuries and absences to return to the SoFi Play-In Tournament hope their time to shine has finally come.<\/p>\n

No. 7 Philly hosts No. 8 Orlando tonight (7:30 ET, Prime), with the winner advancing to face No. 2 Boston in the First Round as the 7-seed.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a familiar reality for the Magic, who won this Play-In game last season as the No. 7 seed, defeating Atlanta to move on to Boston.<\/p>\n

This year, they\u2019ll have to battle through the brotherly love of Philadelphia as the road team.<\/p>\n

Magic Journey: Paolo Banchero (22.2 ppg) and offseason acquisition Desmond Bane (20.1 ppg) guided the Magic through more key injuries in a season where their defense ranked in the top half of the league (113.6)
\nAlways Ready: Bane played all 82 games for Orlando, logging team-highs in total points (1,647) and 3s (167), and the 2nd-most assists (338) this season
\nBlack Rises Up: Anthony Black made a notable jump in his second year (and in Germany<\/a>), playing a key role on both ends while posting a career high in ppg (12.1) and adding 1.4 steals per game
\nFranz Factor: In and out this year due to an ankle injury, Wagner managed to post 20+ points in 20 of his 34 games, including two straight entering tonight. When Franz does score 20+ this season, Orlando is 13-7<\/p>\n

\"[<\/p>\n

The host 76ers, who won this Play-In game as the No. 7 seed in 2024, have leaned on rising superstar Tyrese Maxey.<\/p>\n

Ty & AI: Maxey led Philly with career-highs in scoring (28.3 ppg), assists (6.6 apg) and steals (1.9 spg), becoming the first Sixer since Allen Iverson to average 28+ pts and 6+ ast in a season
\nMax Mileage: The 2x All-Star is averaging the most minutes played (38 mpg) and distance covered (2.8 miles) in the league this season
\nRunning Mate: Maxey ran with two-way rookie standout VJ Edgecombe, the only rookie since 2020 to total 1100+ points and 100+ steals
\nBackcourt Burst: That helped push Philly into the top-10 in both fastbreak points (16.9) and points off turnovers (19.0)
\nPlayoff P: While former Kia MVP Joel Embiid (appendectomy) is out, Paul George has brought a scoring boost since his March 25 return, averaging 21 points on 41.5 3P% in 10 games<\/p>\n

The Sixers and Magic last met on Jan. 9, when Philly took the season series, 2-1. Both teams have won 24 games since then, with Orlando closing the regular season winning five of its last six.<\/p>\n

5. TONIGHT OUT WEST, WIN-OR-GO-HOME: WARRIORS AT CLIPPERS<\/p>\n

\"Steph<\/p>\n

Draw the curtains. Butter the popcorn. Turn on the spotlight.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s win-or-go-home time in Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Tonight (10 ET, Prime), in-state rivals clash as the No. 9 Clippers host the No. 10 Warriors. For the \u201cComeback Clips,\u201d it\u2019s an opportunity to move one step closer to a fourth straight Playoff berth.<\/p>\n

Singular Mindset: Following LA\u2019s 6-21 start to the season, coach Tyronn Lue challenged his team to go on a 35-20 run<\/a> for a shot at the postseason
\nMission Met: The Clippers went 36-19 the rest of the way, becoming the first team in league history to finish above .500 after being 15 games below .500
\n\u201cWe always knew we were a better team than what we were showing,\u201d said Brook Lopez. \u201cBut to go out there and prove it, it\u2019s a nice little honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kawhi Leonard has been at the forefront of the turnaround. The puzzle pieces around him found their respective fits, too.<\/p>\n

Kawhi Time: The 7x All-Star posted a career-high 27.9 ppg in 2025-26, becoming the first player in his 14th season or later to set a new scoring best
\nFresh Firepower: At the trade deadline, LA made a splash<\/a>, bringing in Darius Garland (19.9) and Bennedict Mathurin (17.4), who have combined for 37.3 ppg with the Clips<\/p>\n

\"Darius<\/p>\n

But Golden State has been here before.<\/p>\n

And with its season on the line, 11-time All-NBA selection Stephen Curry is back in the lineup.<\/p>\n

Flashback: The Warriors are in the Play-In for the third straight year. As the No. 7 seed in 2025, they defeated the Grizzlies behind Curry\u2019s 37 points
\nProlific Pace: Before a knee injury forced his 27-game absence, the 17-year vet was on pace for the fourth-highest scoring average of his career (27.2 ppg)
\n\u201cWe know it\u2019s going to be tough,\u201d said coach Steve Kerr. \u201cThese guys are really good \u2026 we\u2019re excited about the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Want to share\u00a0Starting\u00a05\u00a0with a friend?\u00a0Send them this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shape the Starting 5.\u00a0\u00a0Email us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have the NBA App? Download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"How did the first night of the 2026 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament start? With the first game-winner inside…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":393524,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[85,46,105],"class_list":["post-393523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-il","tag-israel","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=393523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/393523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/393524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=393523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=393523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=393523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}