diff --git a/Lib/test/test_peepholer.py b/Lib/test/test_peepholer.py
index e0cc010f15513b..1d8c6422faeaa3 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_peepholer.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_peepholer.py
@@ -1129,6 +1129,14 @@ def f(self):
             print(ExecError)
         self.assertInBytecode(f, "LOAD_FAST_BORROW", "self")
 
+    def test_ternary_expression_uses_load_fast_borrow(self):
+        def f(a, b):
+            return a if a < b else b
+
+        self.assertNotInBytecode(f, "LOAD_FAST")
+        self.assertInBytecode(f, "LOAD_FAST_BORROW", "a")
+        self.assertInBytecode(f, "LOAD_FAST_BORROW", "b")
+
 class DirectCfgOptimizerTests(CfgOptimizationTestCase):
 
     def cfg_optimization_test(self, insts, expected_insts,
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Core_and_Builtins/2026-03-27-04-16-08.gh-issue-145629.eLFhwn.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Core_and_Builtins/2026-03-27-04-16-08.gh-issue-145629.eLFhwn.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..705057a6ab95a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/Core_and_Builtins/2026-03-27-04-16-08.gh-issue-145629.eLFhwn.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix missed ``LOAD_FAST_BORROW`` optimization for ternary expressions by improving basic block inlining during the compiler's control flow graph optimization phase.
diff --git a/Python/flowgraph.c b/Python/flowgraph.c
index f446a87ee69432..36d57b0fbed1c0 100644
--- a/Python/flowgraph.c
+++ b/Python/flowgraph.c
@@ -1218,6 +1218,7 @@ basicblock_has_no_lineno(basicblock *b) {
 /* If this block ends with an unconditional jump to a small exit block or
  * a block that has no line numbers (and no fallthrough), then
  * remove the jump and extend this block with the target.
+ * Also handles the case where a block falls through to a small exit block.
  * Returns 1 if extended, 0 if no change, and -1 on error.
  */
 static int
@@ -1227,6 +1228,15 @@ basicblock_inline_small_or_no_lineno_blocks(basicblock *bb) {
         return 0;
     }
     if (!IS_UNCONDITIONAL_JUMP_OPCODE(last->i_opcode)) {
+        // If the block ends with a fallthrough to a small exit block, inline it.
+        if (BB_HAS_FALLTHROUGH(bb) && bb->b_next != NULL && !is_jump(last)) {
+            basicblock *next = bb->b_next;
+            if (basicblock_exits_scope(next) && next->b_iused <= MAX_COPY_SIZE) {
+                RETURN_IF_ERROR(basicblock_append_instructions(bb, next));
+                next->b_predecessors--;
+                return 1;
+            }
+        }
         return 0;
     }
     basicblock *target = last->i_target;