Charlotte Hornets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats
The charlotte hornets vs miami heat match player stats from the April 15, 2026 NBA Play-In meeting tell a much richer story than the final score alone. Charlotte defeated Miami 127-126 in overtime at Spectrum Center, but the one-point margin does not fully explain how the game unfolded. LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 30 points and 10 assists, Miles Bridges added 28 points, Moussa Diabate controlled the glass with 14 rebounds, while Coby White finished with a team-best plus/minus of +21. Miami answered with 28 points from Davion Mitchell, 27 from Andrew Wiggins, 19 rebounds from Kel’el Ware, and 8 assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr. The result was a high-scoring, tightly contested game in which individual production, rebounding, shooting efficiency, ball security, and overtime execution all mattered.
Charlotte Hornets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats
The game was played on April 15, 2026, as an Eastern Conference NBA Play-In matchup between Charlotte and Miami. Charlotte entered with a 44-38 record, while Miami finished the regular season at 43-39.
Charlotte ultimately won 127-126 in overtime.
That final score is important because the box score shows two teams that approached the game differently. Miami shot better from the field and from three-point range, while Charlotte attempted considerably more shots and produced a major advantage on the offensive and defensive glass.
Here is the core statistical picture from the supplied game data:
| Category | Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets |
| Final score | 126 | 127 |
| Field goals | 49-103 | 50-113 |
| Field-goal percentage | 48% | 44% |
| Three-pointers | 16-41 | 18-56 |
| Three-point percentage | 39% | 32% |
| Free throws | 12-14 | 9-9 |
| Free-throw percentage | 86% | 100% |
| Total rebounds | 48 | 54 |
| Assists | 32 | 26 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 6 |
| Steals | 4 | 4 |
| Blocks | 8 | 7 |
The numbers immediately reveal one of the game’s central tensions.
Miami was more efficient as a shooting team. Charlotte was more aggressive in creating additional possessions through its rebounding and shot volume.
That distinction is critical when evaluating a close basketball game.
How the Game Was Decided
Charlotte’s 127-126 overtime victory was not simply a case of one team shooting better. In fact, Miami had the superior overall field-goal percentage and three-point percentage.
The difference came from the combination of volume, rebounding, turnovers, and late-game execution.
Charlotte attempted 113 field goals compared with Miami’s 103. That is a difference of 10 attempts. Charlotte also collected 54 rebounds to Miami’s 48, giving the Hornets a six-rebound advantage.
Turnovers were nearly identical, but Charlotte still held a narrow edge, committing six compared with Miami’s seven.
Those numbers help explain why Charlotte could survive shooting 44% from the field and 32% from three.
Miami’s 49-of-103 shooting was considerably more efficient than Charlotte’s 50-of-113 shooting. Miami also made 16 of 41 three-point attempts, compared with 18 of 56 for Charlotte.
Yet Charlotte made enough plays in other areas to compensate.
The free-throw numbers were particularly clean. Charlotte went 9-for-9 at the line, while Miami went 12-for-14. Neither team left a large number of points at the stripe, so free throws were not the primary explanation for the result.
Instead, the more revealing factors were possession creation and individual shot-making.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
The scoring progression shows how dramatically the game changed during regulation.
First Quarter
Miami scored 24 points in the opening quarter.
Charlotte scored 26.
The Hornets therefore held a modest two-point advantage after 12 minutes. Nothing about that opening suggested the game would become a 127-126 overtime classic.
The early margin was small, and both teams remained within striking distance.
Second Quarter
Miami responded with 30 points in the second quarter, while Charlotte scored 26.
That gave Miami a four-point advantage in the period and left the teams closely matched entering halftime.
Miami’s ability to produce 30 points in the second quarter was an early indication of the offensive efficiency that would eventually show up in the final shooting percentages.
Third Quarter
The third quarter was Charlotte’s most productive stretch of the night.
The Hornets scored 37 points.
Miami scored 29.
That eight-point swing was the biggest single-quarter advantage for either team during regulation and helped Charlotte build momentum.
It is also one of the clearest reasons the overall game cannot be understood simply by looking at final field-goal percentage. Charlotte’s third-quarter offensive surge significantly changed the shape of the contest.
Fourth Quarter
Miami responded again.
The Heat scored 31 points in the fourth quarter, compared with 25 for Charlotte.
Miami’s six-point advantage in the final regulation period erased much of Charlotte’s third-quarter momentum and helped push the game into overtime.
Overtime
The extra period was almost impossibly close.
Miami scored 12 points.
Charlotte scored 13.
That one-point difference produced the final 127-126 result.
In other words, after 48 minutes of regulation could not separate the teams, Charlotte won the five-minute overtime period by only one point.
That is why the final margin should not be interpreted as evidence of a comfortable Charlotte victory.
LaMelo Ball’s 30-Point Performance
LaMelo Ball was Charlotte’s leading scorer with 30 points and also led the Hornets with 10 assists.
That combination made his performance especially important.
A 30-point scoring night is valuable by itself, but adding 10 assists shows that Ball was involved in creating offense for teammates as well as finishing possessions himself.
The double-double also illustrates an important feature of high-level guard play: scoring and playmaking are often connected rather than separate responsibilities.
When a primary ball-handler can score at a high level while generating 10 assists, the opposing defense has to account for multiple offensive outcomes on nearly every possession.
Ball’s production therefore stands out as one of the defining elements of the game.
His 30 points represented Charlotte’s highest individual scoring total, while his 10 assists were also the team’s highest assist figure.
That makes him central to almost every discussion of the charlotte hornets vs miami heat match player stats.
Miles Bridges Adds 28 Points
Miles Bridges finished with 28 points, giving Charlotte two players within two points of the 30-point mark.
That is a significant feature of the Hornets’ offensive profile.
Charlotte did not depend on a single scorer to carry the entire offense. Ball’s 30 and Bridges’ 28 gave the team 58 points from its two leading scorers.
That type of two-player scoring foundation can be especially valuable in a postseason-style game because defenses can become heavily focused on stopping the primary creator.
Bridges’ 28 points meant Miami had to respect another major scoring threat.
The combination of Ball’s scoring and playmaking with Bridges’ scoring provided Charlotte with multiple ways to attack.
Moussa Diabate Controls the Rebounding Battle
While Ball and Bridges supplied the headline scoring numbers, Moussa Diabate provided one of Charlotte’s most important contributions away from the scoring column.
Diabate led all Charlotte players with 14 rebounds.
The Hornets finished with 54 total rebounds, six more than Miami.
That team advantage is important because rebounds often determine whether a possession ends after one shot or creates another opportunity.
Charlotte’s 113 field-goal attempts were 10 more than Miami’s 103. The rebounding advantage is therefore highly relevant when considering how the Hornets generated that additional offensive volume.
Diabate’s 14 rebounds were a major component of that overall effort.
For readers evaluating the game beyond points, his performance may be one of the most important statistics in the entire box score.
Coby White’s Plus/Minus Tells Another Story
Coby White led Charlotte in plus/minus at +21.
That number deserves attention because it offers a different perspective from traditional scoring statistics.
Plus/minus measures the team’s scoring margin while a player is on the court. It does not directly measure individual skill, and it should never be treated as a complete evaluation of a player’s performance.
Still, a +21 in a one-point overtime game is notable.
Charlotte had several stretches in which its overall performance was substantially stronger with White on the floor. That does not mean White single-handedly created a 21-point advantage, but it does provide evidence that his minutes were associated with strong team-level results.
This is a useful reminder that player evaluation should not stop at points, rebounds, and assists.
Miami Heat Player Leaders
Miami had its own group of standout performers.
Davion Mitchell led the Heat with 28 points.
Andrew Wiggins followed closely with 27 points.
Kel’el Ware led Miami with 19 rebounds.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. recorded a team-high eight assists and also had Miami’s best plus/minus at +4.
Those contributions show that Miami had strong production across several statistical categories even though the Heat ultimately lost.
Davion Mitchell: 28 Points
Mitchell’s 28 points made him Miami’s top scorer.
That production was especially important because Charlotte’s offense was generating substantial scoring from Ball and Bridges.
Miami needed high-level scoring from its own perimeter players to remain competitive, and Mitchell supplied it.
His 28-point performance was only two points behind Ball’s 30.
That narrow scoring difference reflects how competitive the individual scoring battle was between the two teams’ leading guards.
Andrew Wiggins: 27 Points
Wiggins finished with 27 points, only one point behind Mitchell.
That gave Miami two players with at least 27 points.
Together, Mitchell and Wiggins scored 55 points.
Charlotte’s Ball and Bridges combined for 58.
The comparison is striking.
Both teams had two major scoring contributors who accounted for a large share of their respective offenses.
That symmetry helped create the one-point finish.
Kel’el Ware: 19 Rebounds
Ware’s 19 rebounds were the highest individual rebounding total recorded in the supplied statistics.
Nineteen rebounds in a single game is a major interior contribution.
More importantly, Ware’s total shows that Miami was not simply losing the rebounding battle because it lacked an individual rebounder capable of controlling the glass.
The Heat had an elite individual rebounding performance from Ware, yet Charlotte still won the overall rebounding battle 54-48.
That suggests Charlotte’s rebounding success was broader across the roster.
Jaime Jaquez Jr.: Eight Assists and +4
Jaquez Jr. led Miami with eight assists.
He also posted the Heat’s best plus/minus at +4.
That makes his statistical profile particularly interesting.
His eight assists demonstrate playmaking involvement, while the positive plus/minus indicates that Miami slightly outscored Charlotte during his minutes according to the supplied box-score data.
Again, plus/minus is not a standalone measure of individual quality, but in a one-point game, it adds useful context to the conventional box-score numbers.
Charlotte vs Miami Shooting Efficiency
One of the most interesting elements of the charlotte hornets vs miami heat match player stats is that Charlotte won despite being less accurate from the field.
Miami shot 48%.
Charlotte shot 44%.
That is a four-percentage-point difference.
Miami also shot 39% from three.
Charlotte shot 32%.
At first glance, those numbers might suggest Miami should have won.
But basketball is a possession game, not simply a percentage game.
Charlotte attempted 113 field goals.
Miami attempted 103.
The Hornets therefore had substantially more opportunities to score from the field.
Charlotte made 50 field goals.
Miami made 49.
So although Miami was more efficient, Charlotte actually made one more field goal overall.
That is a critical distinction.
Three-Point Volume
The three-point numbers tell a similar story.
Charlotte made 18 threes on 56 attempts.
Miami made 16 threes on 41 attempts.
Charlotte therefore made two more three-pointers despite shooting a lower percentage.
Miami’s 39% accuracy was better, but Charlotte’s larger volume allowed the Hornets to finish with more made threes.
This is a classic example of why shooting percentage and total makes need to be viewed together.
Rebounding: The Hidden Advantage
Charlotte’s six-rebound advantage deserves more attention than it might receive from a basic box-score summary.
The Hornets finished with 54 rebounds.
Miami finished with 48.
That difference represents additional control over missed shots and possessions.
Rebounding is particularly valuable in a close game because even a small number of additional possessions can change the outcome.
The game’s final margin was one point.
Charlotte’s rebounding advantage was six.
That does not mean the six rebounds directly produced six points, because basketball possessions do not work that simply. But it demonstrates how a seemingly modest statistical edge can become meaningful when the final result is decided by a single possession.
Ball Security Was Excellent on Both Sides
Neither team committed many turnovers.
Miami had seven.
Charlotte had six.
That is an extremely narrow difference.
The Hornets therefore did not win because Miami repeatedly gave the ball away.
Instead, Charlotte won while both teams protected possession reasonably well.
This matters when analyzing the game because turnover-heavy games can produce misleading shooting comparisons. Here, the low turnover totals make the rebounding and shot-volume differences more significant.
Charlotte’s six turnovers were particularly efficient from a possession-management perspective.
Miami’s seven were only one higher.
There was no major turnover disaster on either side.
Assists Showed Miami’s Offensive Balance
Miami recorded 32 assists.
Charlotte recorded 26.
That six-assist advantage for Miami is significant.
The Heat therefore moved the ball effectively and generated a higher number of assisted scoring plays.
Charlotte, by contrast, had fewer assists but still scored 127 points.
That suggests the Hornets were able to generate substantial offense through individual creation, offensive rebounding, shot volume, and high-impact scoring from Ball and Bridges.
This is an important tactical contrast.
Miami’s offense appears more strongly reflected in its assist total and shooting efficiency.
Charlotte’s offensive profile is more strongly reflected in its shot volume, rebounding, and individual scoring output.
Free Throws Were Not the Difference
Charlotte went 9-for-9 from the free-throw line.
Miami went 12-for-14.
Both teams were efficient.
Charlotte converted 100% of its free throws.
Miami converted 86%.
Although Miami made three more free throws, the overall difference was small enough that it did not decide the game.
The more important takeaway is that neither side suffered from poor foul-line execution.
In a one-point overtime game, every missed free throw can become significant, but this particular contest was not defined by widespread free-throw mistakes.
A Closer Look at the Final Score
The 127-126 final score can be misleading if viewed without context.
Charlotte won by one point, but the game contained several large swings.
Miami won the second quarter by four points.
Charlotte won the third by eight.
Miami won the fourth by six.
Charlotte then won overtime by one.
That sequence shows a game of repeated responses rather than one-sided control.
The teams effectively exchanged momentum.
Charlotte’s third-quarter surge created separation.
Miami’s fourth-quarter response erased it.
Neither side could finish the game in regulation.
Charlotte ultimately made one more point in overtime.
This is why the final score should be paired with quarter-by-quarter scoring when assessing performance.
What the Player Stats Say About Charlotte
The Charlotte numbers point to a team that found several different ways to manufacture offense.
The Hornets had:
- A 30-point, 10-assist performance from LaMelo Ball
- 28 points from Miles Bridges
- 14 rebounds from Moussa Diabate
- A team-best +21 from Coby White
- 54 total rebounds
- 113 field-goal attempts
- 18 made three-pointers
- Only six turnovers
- Perfect free-throw shooting
That combination explains how Charlotte could win despite shooting only 44% from the field.
The Hornets were not dominant in every category.
They were simply strong enough in several key areas to overcome Miami’s shooting efficiency.
What the Player Stats Say About Miami
Miami’s profile was different.
The Heat had:
- 28 points from Davion Mitchell
- 27 points from Andrew Wiggins
- 19 rebounds from Kel’el Ware
- Eight assists from Jaime Jaquez Jr.
- 32 total assists
- 48% field-goal shooting
- 39% three-point shooting
- 86% free-throw shooting
- Eight blocked shots
- Only seven turnovers
Those are winning-level numbers in many individual categories.
The problem was that Charlotte produced enough volume and rebounding advantages to stay ahead despite Miami’s efficiency.
The loss therefore should not be interpreted as a game in which Miami simply played poorly.
The statistical evidence points toward a much closer contest.
Why the One-Point Margin Matters
One-point games require careful interpretation.
If Charlotte had won by 15 points, it would be easier to identify a clear statistical advantage.
Instead, Charlotte won 127-126.
That means small differences mattered.
A single extra rebound, missed shot, turnover, defensive rotation, or successful possession can influence a game of this type.
The overtime period reinforces that point.
Charlotte scored 13.
Miami scored 12.
The entire game was ultimately separated by one overtime point.
That is why advanced analysis should focus on combinations of statistics rather than searching for one magical number.
The Most Important Statistical Matchups
Several individual matchups stand out from the supplied data.
LaMelo Ball vs. Davion Mitchell
Ball scored 30.
Mitchell scored 28.
Ball also added 10 assists.
Mitchell’s scoring was excellent, but Ball’s additional playmaking gave him a broader statistical impact.
Miles Bridges vs. Andrew Wiggins
Bridges scored 28.
Wiggins scored 27.
The scoring battle was nearly even.
Both provided their teams with a second major scoring option alongside the leading scorer.
Moussa Diabate vs. Kel’el Ware
Ware had 19 rebounds.
Diabate had 14.
Ware won the individual rebounding battle, but Charlotte won the team rebounding battle 54-48.
That is one of the most revealing comparisons in the game.
An individual statistical leader does not necessarily determine the team statistical outcome.
Coby White and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
White had Charlotte’s best plus/minus at +21.
Jaquez Jr. had Miami’s best at +4.
The large difference suggests Charlotte’s strongest team-level stretches were associated with White’s minutes, while Jaquez Jr. was the Heat’s best performer by that particular measure.
The Numbers That Matter Most
If a reader has only a few seconds to evaluate this box score, these are the numbers worth remembering:
127-126: Charlotte’s final overtime victory.
30 points, 10 assists: LaMelo Ball’s leading performance.
28 points: Miles Bridges’ contribution.
28 points: Davion Mitchell’s Miami-leading scoring total.
27 points: Andrew Wiggins’ scoring total.
19 rebounds: Kel’el Ware’s individual rebounding lead.
54-48: Charlotte’s team rebounding advantage.
113-103: Charlotte’s field-goal attempt advantage.
18-16: Charlotte’s edge in made three-pointers.
6-7: Charlotte’s turnover advantage.
+21: Coby White’s team-best plus/minus.
Together, these figures tell a much more complete story than the final score alone.
What Fantasy Basketball Readers Can Learn
Although an NBA Play-In game is primarily about team success, player statistics are also useful for fantasy basketball analysis and player evaluation.
Ball’s 30 points and 10 assists make his offensive role immediately clear.
Bridges’ 28 points reinforce his scoring value.
Diabate’s 14 rebounds highlight his potential value in a category such as rebounding.
Ware’s 19 rebounds were even more notable from an individual statistical perspective.
Jaquez Jr.’s eight assists show his ability to contribute as a facilitator rather than simply as a scorer.
However, one game should never be treated as proof of a long-term player trend.
A single matchup can be influenced by pace, defensive schemes, injuries, rotations, shooting variance, and game context.
The most responsible approach is to use this box score as one piece of evidence alongside a larger sample.
What This Game Shows About Team Construction
The game also provides a useful lesson about roster balance.
Charlotte had two players near 30 points and a significant team rebounding advantage.
Miami had two players near 30 points, a 19-rebound performance from Ware, and six more assists than Charlotte.
Both teams had recognizable strengths.
The difference was how those strengths combined.
Charlotte’s shot volume and rebounding allowed it to create more scoring opportunities despite lower shooting efficiency.
Miami’s passing and shooting efficiency kept the Heat competitive despite fewer attempts.
This is exactly why basketball analysis should not reduce winning to field-goal percentage alone.
How to Read a Box Score Like an Analyst
When reviewing a game like this, use a simple process.
Step 1: Start With the Final Score
The score establishes the result, but not the reason.
Charlotte won 127-126.
Step 2: Compare Shooting Efficiency
Miami shot 48% from the field.
Charlotte shot 44%.
This initially favors Miami.
Step 3: Compare Shot Volume
Charlotte attempted 113 field goals.
Miami attempted 103.
The picture becomes more balanced.
Step 4: Check Rebounding
Charlotte led 54-48.
That supports the idea that the Hornets generated additional possessions.
Step 5: Check Turnovers
Charlotte had six.
Miami had seven.
Neither team had a major advantage.
Step 6: Examine Individual Leaders
Ball, Bridges, Mitchell, Wiggins, Ware, Diabate, White, and Jaquez Jr. all contributed meaningful numbers.
Step 7: Review the Quarter Splits
Charlotte’s 37-point third quarter and Miami’s 31-point fourth quarter reveal the game’s momentum shifts.
Step 8: Look at Overtime
Charlotte won the extra period 13-12.
That final one-point difference completed the victory.
This method provides a much stronger understanding than simply searching for the highest scorer.
Charlotte Hornets vs Miami Heat Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The charlotte hornets vs miami heat match player stats reveal several important lessons.
First, Charlotte did not need superior shooting efficiency to win. Miami had better field-goal and three-point percentages, but Charlotte attempted more shots and made one more field goal overall.
Second, rebounding mattered. Charlotte finished with 54 rebounds compared with Miami’s 48.
Third, both teams protected the ball well. Six turnovers for Charlotte and seven for Miami show that neither team surrendered a large number of possessions through careless play.
Fourth, both teams had strong scoring pairs. Ball and Bridges combined for 58 points for Charlotte, while Mitchell and Wiggins combined for 55 for Miami.
Fifth, individual rebounding tells a more complicated story. Ware led all players with 19 rebounds, yet Charlotte still won the overall rebounding battle.
Sixth, the quarter splits demonstrate how momentum changed throughout the contest. Charlotte’s 37-point third quarter was answered by Miami’s 31-point fourth quarter.
Finally, overtime was decisive but barely so. Charlotte scored 13 points to Miami’s 12, producing the 127-126 final score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the top scorer in the Charlotte vs Miami game?
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 30 points. Miami’s leading scorer was Davion Mitchell with 28 points.
Who had the most rebounds?
Miami’s Kel’el Ware led all listed players with 19 rebounds. Charlotte’s leading rebounder was Moussa Diabate with 14.
Who had the most assists?
LaMelo Ball led Charlotte with 10 assists. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led Miami with eight assists.
Who won the game?
Charlotte defeated Miami 127-126 in overtime at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
Which team shot better?
Miami shot better overall, making 49 of 103 field-goal attempts for 48%. Charlotte made 50 of 113 attempts for 44%.
Why did Charlotte win despite shooting worse?
Charlotte compensated with greater shot volume, a 54-48 rebounding advantage, one fewer turnover, 18 made three-pointers, and strong individual production from Ball and Bridges. The Hornets also won overtime 13-12.
Conclusion
The charlotte hornets vs miami heat match player stats describe a game that was much closer and more statistically nuanced than a simple 127-126 score suggests.
Charlotte’s victory was built around several complementary strengths. LaMelo Ball produced 30 points and 10 assists, Miles Bridges scored 28, Moussa Diabate grabbed 14 rebounds, and Coby White recorded the team’s best plus/minus at +21. As a team, Charlotte collected 54 rebounds, attempted 113 field goals, made 18 three-pointers, and committed only six turnovers.
Miami had equally compelling individual performances. Davion Mitchell scored 28, Andrew Wiggins added 27, Kel’el Ware dominated the individual rebounding category with 19 boards, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. supplied eight assists while posting Miami’s best plus/minus at +4.
The most important analytical lesson is that efficiency alone does not decide every basketball game. Miami shot 48% from the field and 39% from three, both better than Charlotte’s 44% and 32%. Yet Charlotte generated more attempts, won the team rebounding battle, made one more field goal, and protected the ball slightly better.
The quarter-by-quarter numbers make the contest even clearer. Charlotte’s 37-point third quarter created momentum, Miami’s 31-point fourth quarter forced overtime, and Charlotte ultimately edged the Heat 13-12 in the extra period.
For anyone studying this matchup, the best approach is to consider scoring, playmaking, rebounding, shooting efficiency, possession management, and game flow together. The individual leaders tell part of the story, but the team-level numbers explain why Charlotte walked away with a one-point Play-In victory.
