Magic Crush Hornets 121-90 in Play-In, Advance to Face Pistons

Orlando's stifling defense and balanced scoring overwhelm Charlotte, setting up first-round playoff matchup with top-seeded Detroit.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:34am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a basketball game, with sharp planes of the Magic's blue and the Hornets' teal colors overlapping and intersecting to capture the intensity of the play-in matchup.The Magic's relentless defensive pressure and hustle overwhelmed the Hornets, setting the stage for an intriguing first-round playoff clash with the top-seeded Pistons.Charlotte Today

The Orlando Magic dominated the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in the NBA play-in tournament, earning the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 25 points, while Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. also had strong performances. Orlando's defense forced turnovers and held Charlotte to poor shooting, building a big lead early that they never relinquished. The Magic will now face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.

Why it matters

The Magic's decisive win over the Hornets showcases their potential as a dangerous playoff team, despite being the lower seed. Their defensive intensity and balanced scoring attack could pose problems for the favored Pistons in the first-round matchup. This game also highlights the continued growth of young stars like Banchero, Wagner, and Carter Jr. for Orlando.

The details

The Magic jumped out to a 38-16 lead after the first quarter, shooting 67% from the field and forcing four Charlotte turnovers. Banchero scored 12 points in the opening period, while Carter added 10. The Hornets struggled mightily, shooting just 25% and going 3-of-10 from 3-point range. Orlando maintained its defensive pressure throughout, finishing the game with five blocks. LaMelo Ball was limited to just 2 points in the first half due to foul trouble. The Magic continued to pull away in the second half, leading by as many as 31 points.

  • The Magic and Hornets tipped off the NBA play-in tournament game on April 17, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the Magic-Pistons first-round playoff series is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026 with a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off.

The players

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's star forward scored a team-high 25 points to go with 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.

Franz Wagner

The Magic's second-year wing contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the win.

Wendell Carter Jr.

The Magic's starting center had 16 points, hitting both of his 3-point attempts, along with 6 rebounds.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard was limited to just 2 points in the first half due to foul trouble, finishing with 23 points.

Miles Bridges

The Hornets' forward scored 15 points but was called for a technical foul in the second quarter.

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What they’re saying

“We just came out with a ton of energy and focus on the defensive end. That set the tone for us and allowed us to get out in transition and make plays.”

— Paolo Banchero, Magic Forward

“They were the aggressor from the start and we just couldn't match their intensity. We have to be better if we want to make a run in the playoffs.”

— LaMelo Ball, Hornets Guard

What’s next

Game 1 of the Magic-Pistons first-round playoff series is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The Magic's dominant performance in the play-in game showcases their potential as a dangerous lower-seeded playoff team. Their stifling defense and balanced scoring attack could give the top-seeded Pistons trouble in the first-round matchup, setting up an intriguing series between these two Eastern Conference foes.