Magic Fans Electrify Kia Center in Blowout Win Over Hornets

Head coach Jamahl Mosley credits Orlando's passionate crowd for fueling the team's dominant performance.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:34am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense energy and action of a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's colors representing the players, crowd, and court.The Magic's decisive victory over the Hornets was powered by the electric atmosphere inside the Kia Center, as the team's passionate fans propelled them to a dominant playoff-clinching performance.Charlotte Today

The Orlando Magic clinched the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament with a decisive 121-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Before addressing the media, head coach Jamahl Mosley made it clear that the electric atmosphere inside the Kia Center was a driving force behind the win, praising the home crowd's unwavering support throughout the season.

Why it matters

The Magic's dominant performance over the Hornets, who had the league's best offensive rating since January, showcases the team's potential heading into the playoffs. Mosley's acknowledgment of the fans' impact underscores the vital role a passionate home crowd can play in propelling a team to victory, especially in high-stakes postseason contention.

The details

The Magic took control early, building a 38-16 lead after the first quarter and extending the margin to 31 points by halftime. Paolo Banchero led the way with 25 points, while Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. also made significant contributions. The Magic's stifling defense limited the Hornets, who struggled from the field and beyond the arc.

  • The Magic clinched the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament on April 18, 2026.
  • Game 1 of the Magic's first-round playoff series against the top-seeded Detroit Pistons is scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The players

Jamahl Mosley

The head coach of the Orlando Magic, who praised the team's passionate fan base for fueling their dominant performance against the Hornets.

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's leading scorer, who had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in the win.

Franz Wagner

The Magic's starting forward, who contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Wendell Carter Jr.

The Magic's starting center, who scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, including 2 made three-pointers.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star point guard, who scored only 2 points in the first half but finished with 23 points.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, before you say anything, I'm gonna tell you right now, the reason why we got this victory more plays than one was our fans. They were absolutely unbelievable, and they've been unbelievable through the ups and downs, the high lows. They propelled us to get this win. The energy that they brought, the energy for our group, and I can't say enough, we can't say enough about this fan base and the way that they support us and got this thing going in the right direction.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

What’s next

The Magic will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The Magic's dominant win over the Hornets, fueled by their passionate home crowd, showcases the team's potential heading into the playoffs and underscores the vital role that a supportive fan base can play in propelling a team to victory.