LaMelo Ball had the game-winner, the late turnover, the collision and the final word after the Charlotte Hornets’ 127-126 overtime win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday night at Spectrum Center.
Ball finished with 30 points and 10 assists, then described the decisive possession simply: “We drew up a good play, I feel like, and it just orchestrated and it worked.”
Charlotte advanced in the NBA play-in tournament and will travel to face the loser of Wednesday’s Philadelphia-Orlando game on Friday night for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
Ball also pointed to the atmosphere inside the building after Charlotte won its first postseason home game in a decade. “Yeah. No, the crowd was amazing. I mean, everybody came out today. It was real loud. So, it’s beautiful crowd,” he said.
The Hornets leaned on big shots from Coby White, who scored 19 points and hit a turnaround 3-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Ball praised that stretch directly: “Yeah. Know Coby was great for us. I mean, he made big plays, a big player, so he did everything we needed.”
Miami put Davion Mitchell on Ball late, and the Hornets guard explained the attack with no hesitation. “No questions asked. Davion Mitchell, great defender. I mean, we all know that in this league, but just had to make a play and tried to.”
The final sequence also included the collision that left Ball apologizing afterward. “Oh, yeah. I apologize on that one. I mean, I got hit in the head. Didn’t really know where I was, but I’m going to check on him and see if he’s okay and everything,” he said.
Asked whether he intentionally grabbed Mitchell’s leg, Ball repeated that he was not fully aware of the contact. “I haven’t even seen, like I said, I got hit in the head. Didn’t even know where I was. But yeah, just playing basketball. But like I said, sorry. And I’m gonna check on him.”
Ball was also asked whether he was checked for a concussion after the play. “Me for concussion? Yeah. I mean, I don’t think I ever had a concussion or I might have. I don’t know. I don’t even know how them concussions work,” he said.
