Hornets' Wagner, Warriors' Curry Shine in NBA Play-In Matchups

Key player prop bets to target for Friday's crucial play-in tournament games

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:42pm by

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors that breaks down a basketball game into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes, creating a dynamic and energetic visual representation of the NBA play-in tournament.The NBA play-in tournament's high-stakes matchups are captured in a cubist, geometric illustration that captures the raw energy and intensity of the games.San Francisco Today

As the NBA play-in tournament heats up, two players are poised to make a big impact - Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic and Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. Wagner, a two-way forward, has been a bright spot for the struggling Magic, while Curry is looking to lead the Warriors back to the playoffs with a vintage performance.

Why it matters

The NBA play-in tournament is the final chance for teams to secure a playoff spot, making these games crucial for both the Hornets-Magic and Warriors-Suns matchups. Wagner and Curry are key players who could swing the outcomes of their respective games through their scoring, playmaking, and three-point shooting.

The details

For the Magic-Hornets game, look for Franz Wagner to continue his strong shooting from three-point range. Despite being a secondary option on offense, Wagner has shown the ability to knock down open looks from deep, which could be crucial against a Hornets defense that has struggled to defend the perimeter. In the Warriors-Suns matchup, Stephen Curry is expected to have a big game as the driving force behind the Warriors' offense. While Phoenix presents a tougher defensive challenge than the Clippers, Curry's passing ability could lead to him dishing out 6 or more assists, a prop bet worth considering.

  • The Magic-Hornets game tips off at 7:30 pm ET on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Warriors-Suns game follows as the nightcap, starting at 10:00 pm ET on the same day.

The players

Franz Wagner

A two-way forward for the Orlando Magic who has averaged 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season.

Stephen Curry

The star point guard of the Golden State Warriors, a future Hall of Famer who is looking to lead his team back to the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“Despite serving as a second option on offense, Wagner usually gets a handful of open looks from deep. That's especially true with defenses prioritizing slowing down Paolo Banchero.”

— Bryan Armetta, Sports Analyst

“Nobody is capable of going on a heater quite like Curry. With that being said, Phoenix is a step up defensively compared to LA. Golden State's face of the franchise should make an impact as a scorer. However, increased pressure could lead to a productive outing as a distributor.”

— Bryan Armetta, Sports Analyst

What’s next

The winners of Friday's play-in tournament games will advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs, where they will face the top seeds in their respective conferences.

The takeaway

The NBA play-in tournament is providing high-stakes, must-watch basketball, and players like Franz Wagner and Stephen Curry are rising to the occasion. Their performances could be the difference-makers in determining the final playoff spots.