NBA Play-In Games Set: Heat-Hornets, Magic-76ers Matchups

Postseason picture takes shape as teams vie for final playoff spots in the East.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:54am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract NBA basketball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The NBA's play-in tournament adds an extra layer of drama and excitement as teams battle for the final playoff spots.Miami Today

The NBA's Eastern Conference playoff picture is now set, with the Miami Heat facing the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic taking on the Philadelphia 76ers in the play-in tournament. The winners of those games will advance to face the top seeds in the first round, while the losers will meet in another elimination game to determine the final playoff spot.

Why it matters

The play-in tournament has added an extra layer of drama and excitement to the end of the NBA regular season, as teams fight for the final playoff spots. These matchups will determine the final seeding in the East and set up the first-round matchups.

The details

The Heat will travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Tuesday, while the Magic will visit the 76ers on Wednesday. The winner of the Magic-76ers game will then play the Boston Celtics in the first round, while the loser will face the winner of the Heat-Hornets game on Friday to decide the final playoff spot. In the West, the Clippers or Trail Blazers will face the Suns on Tuesday, with the loser then playing the Warriors on Wednesday in an elimination game.

  • The Heat-Hornets and Magic-76ers play-in games will take place on Tuesday, April 16 and Wednesday, April 17, respectively.
  • The winner of the Magic-76ers game will face the Celtics in the first round, while the loser will play the winner of the Heat-Hornets game on Friday, April 19.

The players

Erik Spoelstra

Head coach of the Miami Heat.

Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets center who has finished in the top two of MVP voting in five consecutive seasons, joining Bill Russell and Larry Bird as the only players to accomplish that feat.

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What they’re saying

“Our group understands what wins and loses for us. And that's the most important thing.”

— Erik Spoelstra, Head Coach, Miami Heat

What’s next

The winners of the Heat-Hornets and Magic-76ers play-in games will advance to face the top seeds in the Eastern Conference first round, while the losers will meet in another elimination game on Friday to determine the final playoff spot.

The takeaway

The NBA's play-in tournament has added an exciting new element to the end of the regular season, with teams fighting for the final playoff spots. These matchups will set the stage for an intriguing first round in both the Eastern and Western Conferences.