Hornets Host Surging 76ers in Potential Play-In Preview

Charlotte looks to clinch season tiebreaker over Philadelphia with a win tonight.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:14pm

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The Charlotte Hornets welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to town for a pivotal Eastern Conference matchup with major Play-In Tournament implications. The Hornets have surged into eighth place in the East, just one game behind the seventh-place 76ers. A win would give Charlotte the tiebreaker over Philly and put them in prime position to earn the most favorable Play-In spot.

Why it matters

This game represents a potential preview of an Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament matchup between the Hornets and 76ers. With the standings so tight, the winner will gain a crucial edge in the race for postseason positioning.

The details

The Hornets will look to dominate the offensive glass and punish the 76ers' weak rebounding. Charlotte is the third-best offensive rebounding team in the NBA, while Philly surrenders the fourth-most offensive boards. The Hornets can exploit this mismatch to generate extra possessions and open three-point looks. Containing 76ers star Joel Embiid will be key, with Hornets big men Moussa Diabaté and Ryan Kalkbrenner tasked with slowing him down.

  • The Hornets and 76ers tip off at 7:00 PM EST on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • The Hornets currently sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, just one game behind the seventh-place 76ers.

The players

Joel Embiid

The 76ers' star center and former MVP is averaging 26.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game this season.

Tyrese Maxey

The 76ers' talented young point guard is expected to return from injury and make his debut in this game.

Moussa Diabaté

The Hornets' starting center has been a key contributor to the team's strong offensive rebounding this season.

Ryan Kalkbrenner

The Hornets' backup center will also play a crucial role in containing Embiid in the paint.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and assists.

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What they’re saying

“When Joel Embiid is at his best there's no stopping him.”

— Richie, NBA Analyst

What’s next

The winner of this game will gain a significant advantage in the race for the most favorable Play-In Tournament spot in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

This matchup between the surging Hornets and the star-powered 76ers has major implications for the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The team that can best exploit its strengths and neutralize the other's weaknesses will gain the upper hand in this potential Play-In preview.