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

The Charlotte Checkers are a minor-league professional ice hockey team and affiliate of the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. | Photo by Jacob Kupferman via Charlotte Checkers

🎉 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.