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Former Tar Heel plays hero in NBA Play-In Tournament opener
TL;DR
Coby White scored 19 points to help the Charlotte Hornets secure a thrilling 127-126 overtime victory against the Miami Heat in the NBA Play-In Tournament, keeping the team alive for its first postseason berth since 2016. His clutch fadeaway jumper in the final seconds was a highlight of the game.
The NBA Playoffs are nearly upon us, as a few teams are battling for those final two spots in the Play-In Tournament. On Tuesday night, a former Tar Heel provided an insanely memorable moment, one which kept his new team alive for its first postseason berth since 2016.
Coby White, whom the Charlotte Hornets acquired in a February trade with the Chicago Bulls, delivered 19 points in Charlotte's electric, 127-126 overtime win to eliminate the Miami Heat in Play-In Tournament action.
Providing a needed spark in 26 minutes off the bench, White's greatest moment, which still has the NBA buzzing on Wednesday afternoon, came late in the fourth quarter.
Miami led 114-111 with just under 13 seconds left, stressing an already sold-out Spectrum Center crowd to the max. Former Duke standout Sion James quickly inbounded the ball to White, who launched an off-balance, fadeaway perimeter jumper from just beyond the 3-point line.
White watched his shot swish over an outstretched Pelle Larsson, which sent the Queen City into a cheering frenzy, causing the Spectrum Center to shake itself. The Hornets outplayed their Southeast Division rivals in overtime, winning by one point in a game they nearly lost.
"The shot heard 'round the Carolinas" wasn't White's only signature moment on Tuesday night. With Charlotte trailing 79-78, White scored his team's final 11 points of the third quarter, capping off a 14-point frame.
UNC fans consistently witnessed these types of performances from White, who played his lone year in Chapel Hill during the 2018-19 college basketball season, averaging 16.1 points per game en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. That North Carolina squad finished with just two losses in ACC play, eventually watching its season end against Auburn.
Selected seventh overall by the Chicago Bulls in 2019, White just delivered one of the most important moments in Charlotte Hornets franchise history. Will White continue being an anchor to their postseason success, which continues Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on Prime Video?
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: Coby White nails game-tying three, helps Charlotte Hornets to OT win
Q&A
What was Coby White's performance in the NBA Play-In Tournament opener?
Coby White scored 19 points in 26 minutes off the bench, playing a crucial role in the Charlotte Hornets' 127-126 overtime win.
How did the Charlotte Hornets secure their playoff spot in 2023?
The Hornets secured their playoff spot by defeating the Miami Heat in a dramatic overtime game during the NBA Play-In Tournament.
What significant moment did Coby White have in the game against the Miami Heat?
Coby White made a clutch fadeaway jumper from beyond the 3-point line in the final seconds, which helped the Hornets tie the game and eventually win in overtime.
