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For the Miami Heat to make the playoffs, they must go undefeated in the Play-In Tournament, which begins Tuesday.

The big picture: This is the fourth straight season that the Heat have failed to finish as a No. 6 seed or higher in order to automatically qualify for the playoffs, per the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

As the No. 10 seed, Miami must now win two sudden-death games to earn the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

What's next: The Heat (43-39) play the No. 9 Hornets in Charlotte Tuesday at 7:30pm.

If Miami loses, they will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

If they win, they must win again Friday at 7:30pm against the loser of Wednesday's Orlando-Philadelphia game.

If Miami survives the Play-In, they would play the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, beginning with Game 1 on April 19 on NBC/Peacock.

How to watch: The Play-In Tournament will be exclusively broadcast on Amazon's Prime Video.

Heat must be perfect to make playoffs. How to watch Play-In Tournament

Miami must now win two sudden-death games to earn the No. 8 seed.

CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 27: Head coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat watches during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on March 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Heat 149-128. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Head coach Erik Spoelstra. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

For the Miami Heat to make the playoffs, they must go undefeated in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Play-In Tournament" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-playoffs-schedule" data-vars-content-id="19fa0bc3-99ed-4c1f-9b01-83e655a7e4ed" data-vars-headline="Heat must be perfect to make playoffs. How to watch Play-In Tournament" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-playoffs-schedule" target="_blank">Play-In Tournament</a>, which begins Tuesday.The big picture: This is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fourth straight season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/04/12/at-least-the-heat-are-play-in-legends-as-another-harrowing-ride-awaits/" data-vars-content-id="19fa0bc3-99ed-4c1f-9b01-83e655a7e4ed" data-vars-headline="Heat must be perfect to make playoffs. How to watch Play-In Tournament" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/04/12/at-least-the-heat-are-play-in-legends-as-another-harrowing-ride-awaits/" target="_blank">fourth straight season</a> that the Heat have failed to finish as a No. 6 seed or higher in order to automatically qualify for the playoffs, per the South Florida Sun Sentinel.<ul><li>As the No. 10 seed, Miami must now win two sudden-death games to earn the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.</li></ul>

Sports

Miami World Cup boosters announced new funding for a blind soccer program for Miami youth.

Why it matters: The World Cup is receiving about $53 million in taxpayer funds from Miami governments, and organizers say they want the tournament to leave a lasting legacy through community events and programs.

The latest: Local organizers announced a $250,000 gift to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to expand its blind soccer program, which teaches over 100 kids and young adults how to play the Paralympic sport.

The money comes from the World Football Remission Fund of the FIFA Foundation.

How it works: Blind soccer utilizes a ball with noise-makers inside of it and is played on a specialized enclosed field. Players are blindfolded to level the playing field.

Children in the Miami Lighthouse Academy play blind soccer on a specialized mini-pitch at the school during physical education.

During weekends and the summer months, teens and young adults across Miami-Dade play as well.

Miami Lighthouse received a $90,000 grant from the Children's Trust last year to help launch the program as a one-year pilot. 

What they're saying: Oseas De Leon, a senior technology specialist at Miami Lighthouse and a member of the USA Blind Soccer Men's National Team, told attendees Tuesday that many blind children are left out of physical education classes.

Blind soccer, he says, helps build confidence and leadership skills.

"Now we have a beautiful soccer pitch. We have amazing coaches, and we are creating that for our children."

FIFA funding expands Miami blind soccer youth program

Local World Cup organizers are seeking to create a lasting legacy in Miami.

Children play blind soccer at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Children practice blind soccer drills at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios

Miami World Cup boosters announced new funding for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blind soccer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/01/21/blind-soccer-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="1dfd2f2f-84c0-4b1a-8fb9-5ecd1e55cd95" data-vars-headline="FIFA funding expands Miami blind soccer youth program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/01/21/blind-soccer-youth-sports" target="_self">blind soccer</a> program for Miami youth.Why it matters: The World Cup is receiving about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$53 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/08/15/miami-world-cup-taxpayer-costs-public-funding" data-vars-content-id="1dfd2f2f-84c0-4b1a-8fb9-5ecd1e55cd95" data-vars-headline="FIFA funding expands Miami blind soccer youth program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/08/15/miami-world-cup-taxpayer-costs-public-funding" target="_self">$53 million</a> in taxpayer funds from Miami governments, and organizers say they want the tournament to leave a lasting legacy through community events and programs.

Education

News

This spring break, Miami Beach saw fewer arrests, emergency medical calls and noise complaints than in 2025, according to city officials.

Why it matters: Apart from being welcome news to city leaders and residents, business owners who in the past criticized the city's spring break tactics are celebrating, too.

This was the third year in a row that Miami Beach officials said they contained spring break mayhem, after prior party periods were marred by gun violence, stampedes and curfews.

Catch up quick: The city took a slightly less aggressive stance to spring break this year, hearing pleas from businesses to scale down some crowd-control measures and be more welcoming in its public messaging.

Business leaders applauded the city's efforts during meetings this week asking for community feedback.

What they're saying: "We had our strongest month in the past four years that we've been running our business," Jessica Shults, a hospitality property operator in South Beach, said at a meeting Tuesday.

Ceci Velasco, executive director of the Ocean Drive Association, said businesses on the tourist strip did "really well," a noted improvement from a few years ago when crowd stampedes forced some to close.

"There's no going back, there's only going forward," Velasco said.

Yes, but: There were still some complaints, including about the city's increased towing rate and traffic control measures.

By the numbers: Compared to last year, arrests were down 16% citywide and 25% in the spring break zone, police said.

The fire department said total incidents in the South Beach entertainment district were down about 66%, while medical calls were down 68%.

Code compliance said noise complaints were down 24% overall.

Between the lines: The city hosted several fitness-related events in March and released a promotional video encouraging health-centric tourism, a pivot from marketing campaigns of the past that tried to dissuade party-goers.

"The city's strategic repositioning of Spring Break ... contributed to a more controlled, predictable, and experience-driven environment," city manager Eric Carpenter wrote in a recent memo.

City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach

This was the third straight spring break without a major incident.

Police officers patrol Ocean Drive during spring break in Miami Beach, Florida on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)


Police officers patrol Ocean Drive during spring break. Photo: Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

This spring break, Miami Beach saw fewer arrests, emergency medical calls and noise complaints than in 2025, according to city officials.Why it matters: Apart from being welcome news to city leaders and residents, business owners who in the past criticized the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring break tactics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/02/04/miami-beach-spring-break-restrictions-2026" target="_self">spring break tactics</a> are celebrating, too.<ul><li>This was the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="4521d9eb-328a-4f29-a6a4-620ec0609b7f" data-vars-headline="City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row</a> that Miami Beach officials said they contained spring break mayhem, after prior party periods were marred by gun violence, stampedes and curfews.</li></ul>

Politics

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Public Safety

The NBA says the tripping incident that injured Heat star Bam Adebayo during Tuesday's play-in game against Charlotte should have resulted in an ejection against Hornets star LaMelo Ball.

Why it matters: It didn't. Ball kept playing and hit the game-winning shot. With their best player out, Miami lost. Their season is over.

This isn't the first time Ball — who has apologized for what he said was an accident — has tripped Adebayo. (Remember this play from 2024?)

So, in the spirit of justice (and to distract ourselves from the Heat's own recent struggles), we've come up with some completely unserious punishments the NBA might consider to make things right.

LaMelo Ball must score 83 points in Friday's pivotal play-in game or the Hornets lose. If he can't match Adebayo's historic scoring performance from last month, no playoffs for you! 

Ball must endure 305 hornet stings. You really love these insane bugs? Pucker up, Miami style!

Ball, whose questionable driving habits would make him feel at home in Miami, should be forced to endure traffic going from Miami Beach to Broward during Art Basel weekend.

Never mind, that may be a punishment for everyone else.

Ball should tattoo Erik Spoelstra's angry face on his arm to make him think twice about tripping anybody ever again. 

After the game, a livid Spoelstra said Ball's actions don't belong in the NBA.

"Somebody has got to see that, and he should have been thrown out of the game for that."

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 29: Erik Spoelstra head coach of the Miami Heat watches during the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 29, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph

Spoelstra isn't mad, just disappointed. OK, he's probably mad, too. Photo: Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Set up a celebrity boxing match between Dwyane Wade and Purple Shirt Guy, the die-hard Charlotte fan who got embarrassed by Wade in the 2016 playoffs. 

Winner's team automatically advances to the playoffs.

CHARLOTTE, NC - APRIL 29: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat reacts after making a shot late in the fourth quarter against the Charlotte Hornets during game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. N

Dwyane Wade jaws at a Hornets fan, dubbed Purple Shirt Guy, during a first-round playoff match-up in 2016. Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Reality check: In all seriousness, these are just jokes from a salty Heat fan.

The other side: Ball apologized after the game and said he would check on Adebayo to make sure he was OK.

"I got hit in the head. Didn't really know where I was."

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: (L-R) Grant Williams #2, Miles Bridges #0, Brandon Miller #24, and LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets look on in the second half against the Miami Heat during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User e

LaMelo Ball and the Hornets. Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The bottom line: Adebayo addressed the play on Thursday, saying, "Everybody's gonna have their opinion on it." 

"Nobody's really gonna know the truth but LaMelo if it was dirty or not."

Ball-Adebayo tripping play demands justice. Here are some (unserious) ideas

How about 305 hornet stings or a tattoo of Erik Spoelstra's scowling face?

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts after a fall in the first half against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Bam Adebayo was in a lot of pain after the tripping incident. Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The NBA says the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tripping incident" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C29Pudky5AA" data-vars-content-id="4c4d1bf7-880b-4449-8e83-6ae24304f9dd" data-vars-headline="Ball-Adebayo tripping play demands justice. Here are some (unserious) ideas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C29Pudky5AA" target="_blank">tripping incident</a> that injured Heat star Bam Adebayo during Tuesday&#x27;s play-in game against Charlotte should have resulted in an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ejection" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/lamelo-ball-flagrant-foul-bam-adebayo-nba-ce18d6de79abdfef6a32e78a8e14f347" data-vars-content-id="4c4d1bf7-880b-4449-8e83-6ae24304f9dd" data-vars-headline="Ball-Adebayo tripping play demands justice. Here are some (unserious) ideas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/lamelo-ball-flagrant-foul-bam-adebayo-nba-ce18d6de79abdfef6a32e78a8e14f347" target="_blank">ejection</a> against Hornets star LaMelo Ball.Why it matters: It didn&#x27;t. Ball kept playing and hit the game-winning shot. With their best player out, Miami lost. Their season is over.<ul><li>This isn&#x27;t the first time Ball — who has apologized for what he said was an accident — has tripped Adebayo. (Remember <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this play" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/MiamiClip/status/1746685711695127032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1746685711695127032%7Ctwgr%5Ea2a9fae1b4df8c30407d1d859da82475afec660d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffadeawayworld.net%2Fnba%2Fcharlotte-hornets%2Fresurfaced-video-shows-lamelo-ball-intentionally-tried-trip-bam-adebayo-years-before-injuring-play-in-game" data-vars-content-id="4c4d1bf7-880b-4449-8e83-6ae24304f9dd" data-vars-headline="Ball-Adebayo tripping play demands justice. Here are some (unserious) ideas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/MiamiClip/status/1746685711695127032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1746685711695127032%7Ctwgr%5Ea2a9fae1b4df8c30407d1d859da82475afec660d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffadeawayworld.net%2Fnba%2Fcharlotte-hornets%2Fresurfaced-video-shows-lamelo-ball-intentionally-tried-trip-bam-adebayo-years-before-injuring-play-in-game" target="_blank">this play</a> from 2024?)</li></ul>

The FIFA World Cup fan fest in Bayfront Park will feature watch parties, live entertainment and an only-in-Miami spectacle involving water-powered jet packs.

Why it matters: If you don't want to pay thousands of dollars for a decent ticket at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami's World Cup host committee says the downtown festival will act as a "second stadium experience."

Miami-Dade County is paying around $14 million to subsidize these public viewing parties, the Miami Herald previously reported.

Driving the news: The host committee says the 23-day fan festival, taking place from June 13 to July 5, will feature giant digital screens broadcasting the matches and live performances from the Bayfront Park amphitheater.

Up to 30,000 fans per day are expected, the host committee says.

Meanwhile, Biscayne Bay will be part of the festivities, too.

"Soccer on the Bay," a series of "high-energy water shows," will combine "sport and spectacle through performances involving personal watercraft and water-powered jet packs," a spokesperson tells Axios.

The Herald reports that participants will try to score goals with a jumbo inflatable soccer ball.

The intrigue: Uncertainty over federal security funding has raised doubts about the viability of the festival, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last month it had awarded a total of $625 million to the 11 World Cup host cities.

Asked about the funding last week, a host committee spokesperson told Axios there "are no finalized details to share regarding the allocation of FEMA grant funds."

Regardless, organizers have said they are committed to holding the festival.

Zoom out: There will also be a series of free public watch parties across Miami-Dade County, including:

5pm at Little Haiti Park and North Beach Sand Bowl.

3pm at Amelia Earhart Park, North Beach Sand Bowl and Tropical Park.

What's next: Additional watch parties may be announced.

What to know about Miami's World Cup fan fest. Expect water-powered jet packs

Red-jersey goalkeeper dives horizontally to save a ball at a water-soccer goal; water jets spray from his feet as a city skyline, boats, and a blue Miami barrier backdrop.

Jet pack soccer? Only in Miami. Rendering: FIFA World Cup 2026 Miami Host Committee

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup fan fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/10/miami-fifa-world-cup-fan-festival" data-vars-content-id="4cab0518-4073-4ea3-a126-4894ed54b166" data-vars-headline="What to know about Miami&#x27;s World Cup fan fest. Expect water-powered jet packs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/03/10/miami-fifa-world-cup-fan-festival" target="_self">FIFA World Cup fan fest</a> in Bayfront Park will feature watch parties, live entertainment and an only-in-Miami spectacle involving water-powered jet packs.Why it matters: If you don&#x27;t want to pay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thousands of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A74343?landing=c" data-vars-content-id="4cab0518-4073-4ea3-a126-4894ed54b166" data-vars-headline="What to know about Miami&#x27;s World Cup fan fest. Expect water-powered jet packs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/Z7r9jZ1A74343?landing=c" target="_blank">thousands of dollars</a> for a decent ticket at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami&#x27;s World Cup host committee says the downtown festival will act as a &quot;second stadium experience.&quot;

Martin Vassolo

Featured stories

Ball-Adebayo tripping play demands justice. Here are some (unserious) ideas

City, business leaders agree: Spring break went smoothly on South Beach

FIFA funding expands Miami blind soccer youth program

What to know about Miami's World Cup fan fest. Expect water-powered jet packs

Heat must be perfect to make playoffs. How to watch Play-In Tournament