Amazon Prime stream fails during overtime of Heat–Hornets play-in game
amazon-prime-stream-heat-hornets-overtime-cutoff
Charlotte, N.C., Apr. 14, 2026 — Amazon Prime Video’s broadcast of the Miami Heat–Charlotte Hornets play-in matchup briefly went dark during overtime, leaving viewers without video or audio for almost two minutes.
The outage started as analyst Stan Van Gundy was speaking out of a timeout with 48.1 seconds left. A “technical difficulties” message replaced the feed, and play resumed onscreen 22.1 seconds later with Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball finishing a possession that put the Hornets ahead 125-120.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James reacted on X, asking, “Tell me the game didn’t just cut off?!!? Am I trippin?? WTH,” as the phrase “technical difficulties” began trending across social media.
Charlotte held on for a 127-126 victory. Amazon Prime Video, which has exclusive rights to all six play-in contests this year, did not immediately explain the interruption or confirm whether every viewer was affected.
The streaming service began carrying NBA games this season under the league’s new 11-year, $76 billion media rights agreement.
Source: ESPN.com
