Charlotte Hornets 115, Miami Heat 110 — The Charlotte Hornets held off the Miami Heat in a tense, early-season NBA matchup at Spectrum Center on October 25, 2026, using a late fourth-quarter surge to secure a 115-110 home victory. The final score suggests a close game, and it was exactly that: two teams traded runs for three quarters before Charlotte found the extra gear it needed on both ends of the floor.

Game overview

Charlotte built a four-point halftime lead and entered the fourth quarter tied at 85-85 after Miami won the third period. The Hornets then opened the final frame with renewed energy, attacking the paint and forcing the Heat into contested jump shots. Miami stayed within striking distance until the final two minutes, but Charlotte’s composure at the free-throw line and a pair of timely defensive stops sealed the result.

• Q1: Hornets 28-25
• Q2: Hornets 30-29
• Q3: Heat 31-27
• Q4: Hornets 30-25
• Final: Hornets 115, Heat 110

Key moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the fourth quarter. With the score tied at 95-95, Charlotte rattled off an 8-0 run capped by a LaMelo Ball step-back three and a Brandon Miller corner triple. Miami responded through Bam Adebayo inside and Tyler Herro’s pull-up game, cutting the deficit to three with under a minute remaining, but the Hornets forced a tough contested three on the next possession and converted their free throws to close it out.

Charlotte’s late-game execution stood out. The Hornets generated good looks without turning the ball over, and their defensive rotations were sharp enough to keep Miami from finding clean catch-and-shoot threes. The Heat, who had success attacking the paint earlier in the game, were pushed further out on the perimeter in the final minutes.

Tactical story

Charlotte wanted pace. The Hornets pushed after makes and misses, used Ball in high pick-and-roll actions, and let Miller attack closeouts from the wing. That approach produced 30 fourth-quarter points and kept Miami’s half-court defense from settling. Miles Bridges added important secondary scoring and physicality on the glass, while Mark Williams protected the rim and gave Charlotte a vertical threat in the dunker spot.

Miami’s counter was methodical: Adebayo operating at the elbow, Herro curling off screens, and quick ball reversals to create driving lanes. It worked for long stretches, especially in the third quarter, but the Heat’s outside shooting cooled late. Miami also lost the rebounding battle in the fourth, allowing Charlotte extra possessions that proved decisive.

Standout players

Ball led Charlotte with 28 points and 10 assists, controlling the tempo and hitting the biggest shot of the night. Miller finished with 24 points, including four three-pointers, while Bridges added 18 points and seven rebounds. Williams contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, giving the Hornets a balanced attack that was difficult to guard.

For Miami, Adebayo was excellent with 26 points and 11 rebounds, consistently winning one-on-one matchups in the mid-post. Herro scored 22 points and added six assists, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. provided 17 points off aggressive cuts and transition runs. The Heat got production, but they could not string together enough stops in the final six minutes.

What it means

The win gives Charlotte a confidence-building result against a proven Eastern Conference opponent and a positive early marker in the 2026-27 season. For Miami, the loss is a reminder that close games on the road require cleaner late-game possessions and better defensive rebounding. The head-to-head result will matter if these teams find themselves in a crowded playoff race later in the year.

Charlotte’s ability to win a grinder rather than a shootout is encouraging. The Hornets showed they can lean on defense and free-throw shooting when the pace slows, while Miami leaves knowing it had chances but could not close the deal.