Trending Now - Hornets and Magic Face Off in Free NBA Play-in Showdown

WHO:

NY Post - The Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic are the two teams involved in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

WHAT:

ESPN - The Magic's victory over the Hornets was by a score of 121-90 on April 17th, 2026, marking the largest margin of victory by any team in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - Paolo Banchero led all scorers with 25 points, while LaMelo Ball scored 23 points for the Hornets.

ESPN - The Magic's victory margin of 31 points is the largest in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - The Magic will start their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on April 23rd, 2026.

ESPN - The Magic and Pistons split their regular-season series 2-2.

ESPN - The Magic's victory over the Hornets was by a score of 121-90, marking the largest margin of victory by any team in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - LaMelo Ball scored 21 of his 23 points in the third quarter for the Hornets.

ESPN - The Magic's victory margin of 31 points is the largest in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - The Magic will start their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on April 23rd, 2026.

ESPN - The Magic's victory over the Hornets secured them the No. 8 seed in the playoffs.

ESPN - All five starters for the Magic scored in double figures during the game against the Hornets.

ESPN - The Magic and Pistons split their regular-season series 2-2.

ESPN - Franz Wagner added 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists for the Magic in their victory over the Hornets.

NY Post - The Hornets have now missed the playoffs for ten straight seasons.

RealGM Basketball - Magic coach Jamahl Mosley stated, "When you play with a sense of desperation and urgency, when you know you're either going home or extending your season, that's what it looks like. There (are) no second chances."

ESPN - The Magic built a 35-point lead in the first half of the game against the Hornets.

ESPN - The Magic's victory margin of 31 points is the largest in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - LaMelo Ball was scoreless with two turnovers when he went to the bench with three fouls with 7:10 left in the first half.

ESPN - Ball did not score until Orlando's lead had reached 35 points in the final seconds of the first half.

ESPN - The Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90, marking the largest margin of victory by any team in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research.

ESPN - Paolo Banchero scored 25 points for the Magic, while LaMelo Ball scored 23 points for the Hornets, with 21 of those points coming in the third quarter.

ESPN - The Magic will face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, starting on April 23rd, 2026.

NY Post - The winner of the game will secure the East's No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs.

Sportskeeda - The game is part of the 2025-26 NBA Play-In Tournament.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The game will take place at the Kia Center.

WHEN:

NY Post - The Magic will start their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on April 23rd, 2026.

ESPN - The Magic will start their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on April 23rd, 2026.

ESPN - The Magic will start their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons on April 23rd, 2026.

Sportskeeda - The game is scheduled for April 17th, 2026, with a tipoff time of 7:30 p.m. ET.

WHY:

ESPN - The Magic have not won a playoff round since 2010 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last two postseasons.

HOW:

ESPN - The Hornets shot 31.7% from the field during the game against the Magic.

ESPN - The Hornets shot 5 for 20 with six turnovers in the first quarter, falling behind 38-16 early in the game.

Sportskeeda - The game can be watched for free, although specific viewing methods were not detailed.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 21:11 UTC)

The Orlando Magic secured a commanding victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 121 to 90 on Friday, marking the largest margin of victory in a play-in game at 31 points, according to ESPN Research. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, while LaMelo Ball contributed 23 points for the Hornets, who struggled with a shooting percentage of just 31.7 percent. The Magic will begin their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons April 23rd, after the two teams split their regular-season series 2-2.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 17:08 UTC)

The Orlando Magic secured a commanding victory over the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 121 to 90, marking the largest margin of victory in a play-in game, according to ESPN Research. LaMelo Ball shone for the Hornets, scoring 21 of his 23 points in a strong third quarter, but the team struggled overall, shooting just 31.7% from the field. The Magic will kick off their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons April 23rd, aiming to break a playoff drought that has seen them eliminated in the first round for the past two seasons.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 09:11 UTC)

The Orlando Magic secured the No. 8 seed in the playoffs with a victory over the Charlotte Hornets, where all five starters scored in double figures. The Hornets struggled, shooting just 31.7% from the field during the game. The Magic will begin their playoff series against the Detroit Pistons April 23rd, after splitting their regular-season series 2-2.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 07:17 UTC)

The Orlando Magic secured a victory over the Charlotte Hornets, with Franz Wagner contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. This loss marks the Hornets' tenth consecutive season missing the playoffs. Magic coach Jamahl Mosley emphasized the importance of playing with urgency, stating that when the stakes are high, players must understand there are no second chances.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 05:31 UTC)

The Orlando Magic secured a commanding victory over the Charlotte Hornets, building a 35-point lead in the first half and ultimately winning by 31 points, marking the largest margin in a play-in game according to ESPN Research. LaMelo Ball struggled significantly, remaining scoreless with two turnovers before finally scoring in the final seconds of the first half, when the Magic's lead had already ballooned. Looking ahead, the Magic will kick off their best-of-seven playoff series against the Detroit Pistons April 23rd.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 03:53 UTC)

The Orlando Magic achieved a historic victory over the Charlotte Hornets, winning 121 to 90 in a play-in game, which is now the largest margin of victory recorded in this format. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, while LaMelo Ball scored 23 points for the Hornets, including 21 points in a strong third quarter. With this win, the Magic will move on to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs starting April 23rd, marking their first playoff appearance since 2010 after being eliminated in the first round in the last two seasons.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 21:14 UTC)

The Charlotte Hornets will face off against the Orlando Magic in the NBA Play-In Tournament, with the winner securing the East's No. 8 seed in the playoffs. This exciting matchup is set to take place at the Kia Center on Friday, with a tipoff time of 7:30 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the game for free, although details on how to watch have not been specified.