LaMelo Ball was so excited after delivering a knockout blow to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament that he carried it over to his victory celebration, delivering two jabs to the oversized head of Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo

Deni Avdija scored 41 points — including a go-ahead 3-point play with 16.1 seconds left — and the Portland Trail Blazers clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the NBA’s play-in tournament

Miami coach Erik Spoelstra says LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for tripping Bam Adebayo, leading to a lower back injury that knocked the Heat’s star center out of Tuesday night’s 127-126 play-in tournament loss to the Charlotte Hornets

LaMelo Ball made a layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, Miles Bridges blocked Davion Mitchell’s attempt at a winning layup at the buzzer, and the Charlotte Hornets beat Miami 127-126 in a wild start to the NBA’s play-in games, eliminating the Heat from the playoffs

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will not return from injury in time to begin the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets

After starting 6-21, the Los Angeles Clippers have fought their way into the play-in tournament, finishing 42-40

Kon Knueppel and LaMelo Ball have something in common with the Splash Brothers

North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson is headed to the NBA draft after what he called “the most fun year of my life” playing for the Tar Heels

LeBron James probably thought he was done playing this particular role