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Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks Face Off in Key Eastern Conference Matchup
The two teams are battling for playoff positioning as the regular season winds down.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:33pm
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The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks, two of the hottest teams in the NBA, will face off tonight in a crucial Eastern Conference matchup. The Magic have won 7 straight games and are just 2 games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 4th seed, while the Hawks have won 9 straight and are 2 games back of the Toronto Raptors for the 6th and final guaranteed playoff spot. This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season, with Atlanta winning the first two matchups.
Why it matters
With less than a month left in the regular season, this game has major playoff implications for both teams. The winner will gain ground in the race for a top-6 seed and avoid having to participate in the play-in tournament. The game features two of the league's hottest teams as they jockey for position in the crowded Eastern Conference.
The details
The Magic and Hawks will face off at State Farm Arena in Atlanta at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN and streamed live on Peacock. This is the third of four meetings between the teams this season, with Atlanta having won the first two matchups on October 24 and November 4.
- The game tips off at 7:00 PM ET on Monday, March 16, 2026.
- Orlando has won 7 straight games heading into this matchup.
- Atlanta has won 9 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA.
The players
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, having won 7 straight games to climb within 2 games of the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks have won 9 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA, and are currently 2 games back of the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference.
What they’re saying
“With less than a month left in the regular season, the Magic and Hawks — two of the league's hottest teams — continue to fight for one of the top 6 playoffs spots and look to avoid the Play-In Tournament.”
— Raphielle Johnson (nbcsports.com)
What’s next
The winner of tonight's game will gain ground in the race for a top-6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, while the loser will fall further behind.
The takeaway
This matchup between the surging Magic and Hawks is a crucial one in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with both teams looking to solidify their position and avoid having to participate in the play-in tournament.
