Magic Clinch Playoff Berth with Dominant Win Over Hornets

Paolo Banchero leads the way as Orlando secures the 8th seed in the East

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:03am

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A cubist-style painting depicting the intense energy and action of a basketball game, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Magic's decisive win over the Hornets secures their third straight playoff berth, a testament to the team's growth and potential.Today in Orlando

The Orlando Magic defeated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in the NBA play-in tournament on Friday, clinching a playoff berth for the third straight season. Paolo Banchero led the way with 25 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. also had strong performances to help the Magic cruise to the victory.

Why it matters

The Magic's playoff berth continues their upward trajectory after missing the postseason for several years. With a young core led by Banchero, the team is positioning itself as a rising force in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Orlando jumped out to a 38-16 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, eventually building a 35-point advantage in the second quarter. The Magic dominated in the paint, outscoring the Hornets 64-28, and forced 20 turnovers which they converted into 26 points. Banchero bounced back from a poor performance in the previous play-in game, showcasing his scoring, playmaking, and decision-making abilities.

  • The Magic defeated the Hornets on Friday, April 18, 2026 to clinch the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference.
  • Game 1 between the Magic and Pistons in the first round of the playoffs is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 20, 2026.

The players

Paolo Banchero

The 24-year-old forward had a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 25 points to go along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. He bounced back from a poor outing in the previous play-in game.

Franz Wagner

The 22-year-old wing tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, setting the tone early with his defensive effort and playmaking.

Wendell Carter Jr.

The 24-year-old center scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, helping the Magic dominate the paint and hold the Hornets to just 7 offensive rebounds.

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What they’re saying

“I just wanted to come out and do whatever I wanted to do in terms of not necessarily letting the defense kind of trick me into doing what they want. If they were backing up, I'm still going to drive the ball and make them have to react instead of just falling into their trap. When I want to shoot the 3, and I feel good about it, I'm going to take the 3. Just being confident, decisive and not hesitating, I think that was the main thing tonight.”

— Paolo Banchero

“He is just one of those players who is the first on the floor. He is never afraid to get his hands dirty: Get on the floor, scrapping for rebounds, picking up on defense. That says a lot about him as a player and as a person. Obviously, everybody knows what he can do offensively, but he is not afraid to put his head in there on defense and make game-changing plays.”

— Paolo Banchero

What’s next

Game 1 between the Magic and Pistons in the first round of the playoffs is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Sunday, April 20, 2026.

The takeaway

The Magic's dominant performance in the play-in tournament showcases their growth and potential as a team. With a young core led by Banchero, the team is poised to make a deep playoff run and establish itself as a contender in the Eastern Conference.