Hornets Clinch No. 9 Seed in East Play-In Tournament

Charlotte secures home game after defeating Knicks in regular season finale

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:30pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting an abstracted basketball game, with the players, court, and ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.The Hornets' play-in tournament home game provides an opportunity for the team to advance to the NBA playoffs through a fractured, cubist lens.NYC Today

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the New York Knicks 110-96 on Sunday, clinching the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller each scored 19 points, while rookie Kon Knueppel hit three 3-pointers in the win.

Why it matters

The play-in tournament provides a second chance for teams to earn a spot in the NBA playoffs. Securing a home game as the No. 9 seed gives the Hornets a significant advantage as they look to advance to the first round.

The details

The Hornets' victory over the Knicks in the regular season finale allowed them to lock up the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte was led by strong performances from star players LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller, who each scored 19 points. Rookie Kon Knueppel also made an impact, hitting three 3-pointers to set a franchise record for a first-year player.

  • The game was played on Sunday, April 13, 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

A 24-year-old point guard and All-Star for the Charlotte Hornets.

Brandon Miller

A 22-year-old forward in his third NBA season with the Charlotte Hornets.

Kon Knueppel

A rookie guard for the Charlotte Hornets who set a franchise record for 3-pointers made by a first-year player.

New York Knicks

An NBA franchise based in New York City that the Hornets defeated in their regular season finale.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to have a home game in the play-in tournament. That's a big advantage for us as we try to make the playoffs.”

— LaMelo Ball, Hornets Point Guard

What’s next

The Hornets will host a play-in tournament game at their home arena as the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

The Hornets' strong finish to the regular season has earned them a home game in the NBA's play-in tournament, providing a significant boost as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs.