Pistons Defeat Hornets, Clinching Charlotte's Play-In Spot

Detroit's win over Charlotte secures the Hornets' place in the NBA's postseason play-in tournament.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 6:24am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into angular, colorful shapes on the court.The Pistons' decisive victory over the Hornets secures Charlotte's spot in the NBA's play-in tournament, adding an extra layer of drama to the team's postseason hopes.Charlotte Today

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Charlotte Hornets 118-100 on Friday night, securing the Hornets' spot in the NBA's play-in tournament. Jalen Duren led the Pistons with 20 points, while Duncan Robinson added 19 points for the winning team.

Why it matters

This result locks the Hornets into the play-in round of the NBA playoffs, where they will have to win an extra game to earn a spot in the traditional postseason bracket. The Hornets were hoping to avoid the play-in and secure a direct playoff berth, so this loss is a setback for their postseason aspirations.

The details

The Pistons dominated the game, leading by as many as 18 points and never trailing. Detroit's balanced scoring attack overwhelmed the Hornets, who struggled to find consistent offense throughout the night.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 11, 2026.

The players

Jalen Duren

A 20-year-old power forward for the Detroit Pistons who led his team with 20 points in the win.

Duncan Robinson

A 27-year-old shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons who scored 19 points in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a big game for us and the Hornets. I'm proud of the way our guys executed the game plan and got the job done.”

— Dwane Casey, Head Coach, Detroit Pistons

What’s next

The Hornets will now have to compete in the NBA's play-in tournament, where they will face elimination games to earn a spot in the traditional playoff bracket.

The takeaway

This loss is a setback for the Hornets, who were hoping to avoid the added pressure and uncertainty of the play-in tournament. However, the Pistons' strong performance shows they are continuing to develop as a team and could be a sleeper in the Eastern Conference playoff race.