In a surprising turn of events, Amazon Prime Video’s inaugural broadcast of NBA postseason games was marred by a significant streaming outage during the overtime period of the play-in game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat. The outage lasted nearly two minutes, causing fans to miss crucial moments of the game, including a pivotal layup by LaMelo Ball that gave the Hornets a five-point lead.
The game, held on April 15, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina, ended with the Hornets narrowly defeating the Heat 127-126. This outcome not only marked a memorable victory for the Hornets but also highlighted the stakes involved in Prime Video’s new venture into live sports broadcasting. As part of an 11-year media rights deal worth $1.8 billion annually, Prime Video has exclusive rights to all six games in this year’s play-in tournament, making this broadcast particularly significant for the platform.
During the outage, fans were left in confusion, with some taking to social media to express their frustration. LeBron James, a prominent player in the league, tweeted, “Tell me the game didn’t just cut off?!!? Am I trippin?? WTH,” capturing the sentiment of many viewers who were left in the dark about the game’s developments. The technical difficulties not only disrupted the viewing experience but also raised questions about the reliability of streaming services for live sports.
According to reports, the outage resulted in viewers missing 22.1 seconds of playing time, a critical moment in a closely contested game. LaMelo Ball, who scored 30 points, was instrumental in the Hornets’ victory, while his teammate Miles Bridges contributed 28 points. On the other side, the Heat’s Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who left the game early due to a lower back injury, were key players in their team’s efforts.
This incident marks a significant moment for Amazon Prime Video, as it was their first foray into broadcasting NBA postseason games. The platform began showing NBA games this season as part of the league’s new media rights deal, which also includes 66 regular-season games. The stakes were high, and the streaming issues have raised concerns about the platform’s capability to handle high-profile sports events.
As the NBA playoffs continue, fans and analysts alike are left wondering about the implications of this outage. Details remain unconfirmed regarding whether all viewers were affected by the lost feeds, and no immediate explanation was provided by Prime Video regarding the cause of the stream issue. This uncertainty adds to the growing scrutiny of streaming services as they take on more live sports content.
With the Hornets moving forward in the playoffs, the focus will now shift to how Amazon Prime Video addresses these technical challenges in future broadcasts. As the platform continues to expand its sports offerings, ensuring a seamless viewing experience will be crucial in maintaining viewer trust and satisfaction.