Editor Maria, here. I was cheering so hard when LaMelo Ball sank this layup in the final few seconds of the first game of the SoFi Play-In Tournament at the Spectrum Center. That shot was the Charlotte Hornets’ game-winning play in overtime against the Miami Heat.
The game on Tuesday, April 14, marked the team’s first postseason game in Uptown since 2016 — and the highest-attended Hornets game ever at the Spectrum Center, with 19,698 fans. After securing the win, they need one more to make the playoffs.
📺 Watching Buzz City
Charlotte will next play the loser of the Orlando Magic-Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and here’s how you can cheer them on:
- Join the watch party at Slate in South End
- Stream on Prime
🎉 A memorable sports scene
This year’s Play-In win gives Charlotte sports fans a reason to cheer, as the Hornets aren’t the only team making postseason noise. For example:
- The Charlotte Checkers start round one of the Calder Cup Playoffs on Wednesday, April 22.
- The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
- Carolina Ascent FC made the 2025 USL Super League semifinals.
- Charlotte FC made the Audi 2025 MLS Playoffs.
- In Raleigh (hey, RALtoday), the Carolina Hurricanes are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, continuing their run as one of the NHL’s most consistent contenders.
