Hornets Defeat Magic, Clinch Playoff Berth

Charlotte Hornets secure 8th seed in Eastern Conference with win over Orlando Magic

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:20am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game in progress, with sharp, overlapping planes of teal, purple, and orange representing the opposing teams.The Hornets' playoff-clinching victory over the Magic showcases the team's young talent and the competitive spirit of the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Orlando Magic 112-103 in a crucial play-in game, clinching the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hornets, led by strong performances from Coby White and Paolo Banchero, overcame a depleted Magic team to secure their first postseason appearance since 2016.

Why it matters

This win is a significant milestone for the Hornets, who have struggled to make the playoffs in recent years. The team's young core, including Coby White and Paolo Banchero, stepped up when it mattered most, showcasing their potential for the future. For the Magic, the loss marks the end of a disappointing season, but the team can look forward to building around Banchero and improving for next year.

The details

The Hornets jumped out to an early lead, thanks in part to Coby White's hot shooting from beyond the arc. White connected on 5 three-pointers, finishing with 23 points off the bench. Meanwhile, Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Hornets' balanced attack. Charlotte also took advantage of Orlando's struggles from the perimeter, holding the Magic to just 33% shooting from three-point range.

  • The Hornets and Magic faced off in a crucial play-in game on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • The Hornets had an extra day of rest, having played their play-in game a day earlier than the Magic.

The players

Coby White

A key bench player for the Hornets, Coby White scored 23 points and hit 5 three-pointers to lead Charlotte to victory.

Paolo Banchero

The leading scorer for the Magic, Paolo Banchero had 25 points but couldn't will his team to victory in the crucial play-in game.

Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets secured their first playoff berth since 2016 with the win over the Magic, showcasing their young core's potential.

Orlando Magic

The Magic's disappointing season came to an end with the loss, but the team can look to build around Paolo Banchero and improve for next year.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was a must-win game for us, and the guys really stepped up when it mattered most. Coby White was huge off the bench, and Paolo Banchero gave us everything he had, but in the end, we just couldn't match the Hornets' firepower.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

“This is a huge moment for our franchise. We've been building towards this for years, and to finally make the playoffs is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players. Coby White was incredible tonight, and we're going to need that kind of performance from him and the rest of the team if we want to make a deep run.”

— Steve Clifford, Head Coach, Charlotte Hornets

What’s next

The Hornets will now face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday, April 19th.

The takeaway

The Hornets' victory over the Magic showcases the team's potential and the growth of their young core. While the Magic's season ends in disappointment, the team can look to build around Paolo Banchero and make a stronger push for the playoffs next year. This play-in game was a thrilling conclusion to the regular season and sets the stage for an exciting first round of the NBA playoffs.