The game featured a tense fourth quarter for Ball and the Hornets, who clung to the lead while Miami pressed to stay in control. Ball committed a costly turnover in overtime, allowing the Heat to go to the line, but he redeemed himself with a clutch late stretch and a game-winning finish for Charlotte.
Ball logged 40 minutes, shooting 12-for-31 from the field and 2-for-16 from three, illustrating both the weight of the moment and his howitzer-style playmaking. His leadership and playmaking were pivotal as Charlotte battled back to force the extra period and secure the win at home.
Following the victory, Ball reflected on the resilience of his team, noting they stayed with it even when their three-point shooting cooled. He also acknowledged the costly mistake in overtime, expressing a determination to own the moment and finish strong when it mattered most.
Charlotte now has two days off before facing the loser of the other Play-In matchup, with Friday’s game slated against the winner of the 7-seed play-in. The Heat’s season ends with a 43-39 record after their postseason bid was halted in this Play-In defeat.
In summary, the Hornets rode Ball’s 30-point, 10-assist performance to a dramatic one-point win, setting up a critical follow-up game in the Play-In tournament and keeping their postseason hopes alive. Ball’s honesty about the late turnover and his subsequent mindset in crunch time underscored the emotional stakes of an intense, playoff-style matchup.
