Thriving Hornets Look to Knock Off Magic

Charlotte aims to continue momentum against division-leading Orlando

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:25am

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The Charlotte Hornets, who have won three of their last four games, will host the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. The Hornets are looking to continue their strong play down the stretch of the season, while the Magic are trying to bounce back after two straight losses. Charlotte's LaMelo Ball and Orlando's Paolo Banchero have both been playing well, setting up an intriguing matchup between the two Southeast Division rivals.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Hornets are trying to make a late-season push to catch the division-leading Magic, while Orlando is looking to maintain its lead in the Southeast. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for the postseason picture.

The details

The Hornets are coming off a dominant 136-106 win over the Miami Heat, in which they outscored the Heat 40-18 in the fourth quarter. LaMelo Ball led the way for Charlotte with 30 points. The Magic, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses, including a 113-108 defeat at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Orlando's Paolo Banchero has been playing well, averaging 22.4 points per game on the season.

  • The Hornets and Magic will face off on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
  • The Hornets previously defeated the Magic 120-105 on December 26 and 124-97 on January 22.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets, who has been leading the team's strong play down the stretch.

Paolo Banchero

The standout rookie forward for the Orlando Magic, who has been averaging over 22 points per game this season.

Charles Lee

The head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, who has praised his team's focus and purpose in recent games.

Jamahl Mosley

The head coach of the Orlando Magic, who is looking for his team to bounce back after two straight losses.

Coby White

The Hornets guard who emphasized the importance of every possession and not taking games for granted down the stretch.

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What they’re saying

“Down the stretch, you can't be one of those teams like, 'Oh, we'll get them tomorrow' or 'We'll get them next game.' Every moment counts, every possession matters, and you just can't take it for granted.”

— Coby White, Hornets Guard

“Bounce back. Here's the thing, we talk about one game at a time. I think we did some good things. I think there's a lot we can grow from and learn from and we're going to have to do that going to Charlotte.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Magic Head Coach

“He has a game who's going to continue to attack and that's what we need him to do.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Magic Head Coach

“A great collective team win. Every possession there was way more purpose.”

— Charles Lee, Hornets Head Coach

“Our group did a great job of coming into a timeout and talking about just focusing on what's going to help you impact winning.”

— Charles Lee, Hornets Head Coach

What’s next

The Hornets will continue their seven-game homestand on Thursday, while the Magic will look to bounce back from their recent losses.

The takeaway

This game between the Hornets and Magic is a crucial matchup in the Eastern Conference playoff race, as the two Southeast Division rivals jockey for position down the stretch. Both teams have been led by their young stars, with LaMelo Ball and Paolo Banchero putting up impressive numbers, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.