The Hornets guard produced another standout display, leaving Miami exposed in the final quarter as Charlotte surged to victory… Yankee Scores reports.
LaMelo Ball was at the heart of everything, scoring 30 points and dishing out 13 assists in Charlotte’s emphatic 136-106 win over the Miami Heat. He also passed the 6,000 career points milestone, a reminder of his rapid rise in the league.
Hornets dominate late on
After holding a slim 96-88 lead through three quarters, Charlotte exploded in the fourth. They outscored Miami 40-18, with Ball pulling the strings. Coby White came off the bench to add 24 points, rookie Kon Knueppel impressed with 22, and Brandon Miller contributed 16. Miles Bridges added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Moussa Diabate grabbed 13 boards.
LaMelo Ball sinks the CIRCUS SHOT through contact!
He’s got 30 PTS, 6 REB, and 13 AST as the Hornets lead in Q4 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fahZ2tSF9Y
— NBA (@NBA) March 18, 2026
Heat miss Adebayo’s presence
Miami’s rhythm faltered without Bam Adebayo, who sat out with right calf tightness. His absence was glaring, especially after his historic 83-point performance against Washington last week — the second-most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in 1962. Tyler Herro led the Heat with 20 points and eight rebounds, but the team lacked balance.
Injuries pile up for Miami
Andrew Wiggins missed his sixth straight game with a toe injury, while Nikola Jovic sat out his 12th consecutive contest due to a back issue despite being listed as probable. Norman Powell added 17 points, but Miami’s depth was stretched thin.
What next for both sides
The Heat will look to regroup quickly as they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, hoping to halt their two-game skid and regain momentum in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Meanwhile, the Hornets return home to face the Orlando Magic, aiming to build on their ninth win in 12 games and strengthen their grip on the 10th spot in the East.
