Magic Crush Hornets in Play-In, Set Up Playoff Matchup With Pistons

Orlando earns No. 8 seed, will face Detroit in first round starting Sunday.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:05am

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, capturing the raw energy and athleticism of a basketball game, with players' forms dissolving into unrecognizable brushstrokes.The Orlando Magic's dominant play-in tournament win over the Charlotte Hornets has set the stage for an exciting first-round playoff matchup with the Detroit Pistons.Today in Orlando

The Orlando Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets in a play-in tournament game, building a 35-point lead in the first half and cruising to a 121-90 victory. The win earned the Magic the No. 8 seed in the playoffs, and they will now face the Detroit Pistons in the first round starting on Sunday.

Why it matters

The Magic have struggled to advance in the playoffs in recent years, having been eliminated in the first round in each of the last two postseasons. This win over the Hornets gives them a chance to break through and win a playoff series for the first time since 2010. For the Hornets, the loss marks another early exit, as they have not made the playoffs since 2016.

The details

Paolo Banchero led the way for the Magic, scoring 25 points. Wendell Carter Jr. added 10 points as the Magic jumped out to a 38-16 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. LaMelo Ball scored 23 points for the Hornets, but 21 of those came in the third quarter after the game was already decided.

  • The Magic and Hornets played their play-in tournament game on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Magic will begin their first-round playoff series against the Pistons on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Paolo Banchero

The star forward for the Orlando Magic, who scored a team-high 25 points in the win over the Hornets.

LaMelo Ball

The All-Star guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who scored 23 points in the loss, with 21 of those coming in the third quarter.

Wendell Carter Jr.

The starting center for the Orlando Magic, who contributed 10 points in the victory.

Detroit Pistons

The opponent the Orlando Magic will face in the first round of the playoffs, after earning the No. 8 seed with their win over the Hornets.

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What they’re saying

“We must have been locked in from the opening tip. That's the kind of effort and focus we'll need to keep going in the playoffs.”

— Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic Forward

What’s next

The Magic will travel to Detroit to begin their first-round playoff series against the Pistons on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The Magic's dominant win over the Hornets in the play-in tournament has set them up for a first-round playoff matchup with the Pistons. After struggling to advance in the playoffs in recent years, Orlando will look to finally break through and win a postseason series for the first time since 2010.