Hornets Seek to End Longest NBA Playoff Drought

Charlotte team aims to clinch postseason berth with win over Magic

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:25pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, depicting a basketball game or match broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in navy blue, forest green, and gold, capturing the energy and tension of the Hornets' playoff push.The Hornets' push for the playoffs is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration, reflecting the team's hard-fought journey to end its lengthy postseason drought.Charlotte Today

The Charlotte Hornets have the longest active playoff drought in the NBA, having missed the postseason for the past 7 seasons. However, the team has surged in the second half of the current season and now has a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Orlando Magic.

Why it matters

Making the playoffs would be a major accomplishment for the Hornets, who have struggled to remain competitive in recent years despite having talented players like LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward on the roster. Ending the franchise's lengthy playoff drought would be a significant milestone and could help build momentum for the team going forward.

The details

The Hornets' last playoff appearance was in the 2015-16 season, when they were led by Kemba Walker. Since then, the team has failed to qualify for the postseason, setting a new franchise record for the longest drought. This season, the Hornets have been bolstered by the emergence of young star LaMelo Ball and the veteran leadership of Gordon Hayward, helping the team surge into playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

  • The Hornets' last playoff appearance was in the 2015-16 season.
  • The Hornets have missed the playoffs for the past 7 consecutive seasons, setting a new franchise record.
  • The Hornets currently have a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Orlando Magic on April 17, 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

A rising star for the Hornets, Ball has emerged as one of the team's key players and a potential future All-Star.

Gordon Hayward

A veteran forward who has provided valuable leadership and experience to the Hornets' young roster.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge opportunity for us to finally end this drought and get back to the playoffs where we belong.”

— LaMelo Ball, Hornets Guard

“The guys have been working hard all season to put us in this position, and we're not going to let it slip away now.”

— Gordon Hayward, Hornets Forward

What’s next

If the Hornets win their game against the Magic on April 17, they will clinch a playoff berth and end the franchise's longest drought in team history.

The takeaway

The Hornets' potential playoff berth would be a significant milestone for the franchise, which has struggled to remain competitive in recent years. The team's young core, led by LaMelo Ball, and veteran leadership from Gordon Hayward have helped propel the Hornets to the brink of ending their lengthy playoff drought.