Charlotte Hornets Crushed 121-90, Set to Face Detroit Pistons

Orlando Magic secured a decisive 121-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA Eastern Conference play-in tournament on Friday, April 17, 2026, earning the eighth seed in the playoffs and setting up a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, while Franz Wagner contributed 18 points and Wendell Carter Jr. Added 16 points. Orlando’s defense forced 20 turnovers by the Hornets and held Charlotte to just 34% shooting from the field, compared to the Magic’s 50% efficiency.

The Magic built an early 38-16 lead after the first quarter, shooting 67% from the field and forcing four Hornets turnovers. Banchero scored 12 points in the opening period, and Carter added 10. Charlotte struggled offensively, shooting only 25% in the first quarter and making just 3 of 10 three-point attempts.

Orlando maintained its defensive pressure throughout the game, finishing with five blocks. LaMelo Ball was limited to just two points in the first half due to foul trouble but finished with 23 points on 7-of-17 shooting for the Hornets. Miles Bridges scored 12 points, Brandon Miller had 14, and rookie Kon Kneuppel contributed 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

The Magic continued to pull away in the second half, leading by as many as 31 points. Orlando led by 31 points at halftime and outdueled Charlotte from start to finish. The Hornets committed 20 turnovers, which the Magic converted into 26 points.

“Not our best effort, but I do like that we continued to fight and grind throughout the game,” Hornets head coach Charles Lee said after the game. “I hope this fuels us this offseason.”

Brandon Miller added, “We’ll come back with a mindset next year remembering this game, losing by [31 points], and play as hard as we can.”

The loss extends the Hornets’ playoff drought to 10 consecutive seasons, the longest active streak in the NBA. Friday’s game marked the Hornets’ first postseason action of any kind since 2022.

For the Magic, the victory showcases their potential as a dangerous playoff team despite being the lower seed. Their defensive intensity and balanced scoring attack could pose challenges for the favored Pistons in the first-round series.

The game highlights the continued growth of young stars like Banchero, Wagner, and Carter Jr. For Orlando, who have developed into key contributors for the franchise.