The NBA Play-In Tournament commenced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with two games determining the initial playoff seeding. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the Western Conference 7-8 game, and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime in the Eastern Conference game.
Western Conference: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns
The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the Western Conference 7-8 Play-In game.
- Result: The win secured the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference for Portland. The Trail Blazers will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
- Game Flow: The Trail Blazers trailed in the fourth quarter before taking a 107-106 lead with 1:54 remaining. The lead came on a three-pointer by Jerami Grant.
- Key Performances:
- Portland: Deni Avdija scored 41 points. His driving layup and free throw with 16.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave Portland a lead it did not relinquish.
- Phoenix: Jalen Green scored 35 points. He missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds.
- Outcome for Phoenix: The Phoenix Suns will face the winner of the Los Angeles Clippers-Golden State Warriors game for a chance at the No. 8 seed and a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Eastern Conference: Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat
The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime in the Eastern Conference Play-In game.
"The game went to overtime after Charlotte's Coby White made a three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation."
- Result: The Hornets advanced to face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Orlando Magic game for a chance at the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.
- Game Flow: The game went to overtime after Charlotte's Coby White made a three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation. Miami's Tyler Herro then missed a potential game-winning shot.
- Key Performances:
- Charlotte: LaMelo Ball scored 30 points, making a go-ahead layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime. Miles Bridges scored 28 points. Ball made 2 of 16 three-point attempts.
- Miami: Davion Mitchell scored 28 points. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points. Bam Adebayo left the game in the second quarter with a lower back injury and did not return.
- Outcome for Miami: The Miami Heat's season has ended.
- Final Play: Davion Mitchell's layup attempt for Miami was blocked as time expired.
Additional Notes
- Trade Condition: As a result of Portland securing a playoff spot, the Chicago Bulls received a first-round draft pick from the Trail Blazers. This completed terms of a 2021 trade. Portland will not have a first-round pick in the upcoming draft but may receive a second-round pick from Memphis.