Josh Hart Calls Out NBA's Controversial Playoff Decision
The No. 9 seed Charlotte Hornets will host the No. 10 seed Miami Heat for a win-or-go-home NBA Play-In Tournament game on Tuesday night.
If the Hornets are able to take advantage of home court and claim victory over the visiting Heat, they’ll move on to play against the loser of the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers and No. 8 seed Orlando Magic for the final playoff slot in the Eastern Conference.
Charlotte is battling for its first NBA playoff appearance since 2016.
This is a huge moment for the franchise. But unfortunately, it won’t be captured by the voice of its beloved TV broadcaster: Eric Collins.
In the past, first-round playoff action was available on both national and local TV broadcasts. But as part of the NBA’s new media rights deal with ESPN, NBC and Amazon, the entire postseason is now exclusive to national broadcasts - blocking out local broadcasters from covering their teams in the playoff.
New York Knicks star Josh Hart called out this decision with a message before the Hornets’ play-in game matchup.
“Not having the option to listen to Eric Collins tonight is terrible,” Hart wrote on X.
More Basketball:Nuggets Push Nikola Jokic's MVP Case After Historic NBA Achievement
Iconic broadcaster Mike Breen covers the Knicks locally for the MSG Network and the NBA nationally as the lead play-by-play man for ESPN and ABC.
During the Knicks’ regular-season finale on Sunday, Breen also called out this NBA decision.
"I personally think it's a poor decision," Breen added. "Fans want to hear their teams' announcers, at least in the first round. Because, for so many of us, and all of my favorite teams growing up, the home team announcers, they become part of the family, such a big part of why you root for the team."
More Basketball:Mike Breen Praised for Calling Out NBA's Controversial Playoff Change
The Hornets and Heat will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 11:09 AM.