NBA fans and players alike were left in disbelief after Prime Video’s coverage of a pivotal Hornets-Heat play-in game cut out in the final seconds of overtime on Tuesday, robbing viewers of a crucial moment in the postseason.
The technical glitch occurred with less than 30 seconds remaining as LaMelo Ball made a layup that gave the Charlotte Hornets a five-point lead. The Hornets ultimately held on to win 127-126, but the brief disruption sparked widespread frustration.
LeBron James took to X to express his disbelief:
“Tell me the game didn’t just cut off?!!? Am I trippin?? WTH 🤦🏽♂️”
Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum echoed the sentiment:
“Technical Difficulties right now is absurd.”
Fans vented their anger online, with one tweeting:
“Nothing like ‘Technical Difficulties’ during overtime of the play-in game. Just brilliant by the NBA and Amazon Prime Video. Brilliant!”
Sportswriter Bill Simmons also weighed in, quipping:
“Amazon Prime with the mass murder!!!!!”
Despite the disruption, the game delivered dramatic moments. Ball finished with 30 points and 10 assists, while Miles Bridges added 28 points and nine rebounds, including a decisive block at the buzzer to deny Davion Mitchell’s potential game-winning layup. Coby White contributed 19 points for the Hornets, including a turnaround three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left in regulation to force overtime.
For the Miami Heat, Mitchell scored 28 points and Andrew Wiggins added 27. The team also lost Bam Adebayo to a lower-back injury earlier in the game after an accidental trip by Ball in the second quarter.
Charlotte will now travel to face the loser of Wednesday’s Philadelphia-Orlando matchup on Friday for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, chasing its first postseason win at home in a decade.
