Magic Clinch Playoffs Spot With Dominant Win Over Hornets

Coach Jamahl Mosley cites 'desperation' as driving force behind 31-point victory

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the dynamic action on the court.The Magic's balanced effort and relentless energy propelled them to a dominant playoff-clinching win over the Hornets.Philadelphia Today

The Orlando Magic secured the No. 8 seed in the NBA Playoffs with a dominant 121-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night. Head coach Jamahl Mosley pointed to urgency and 'desperation' as the key factors behind the team's emphatic response after a disappointing loss earlier in the week. Paolo Banchero led the way with 25 points, while Franz Wagner added 18 points as the Magic delivered one of their most complete performances of the season to extend their year.

Why it matters

The win over the Hornets came just days after the Magic suffered a loss in their first Play-In game, leaving them in a win-or-go-home scenario. The decisive victory showcased the team's ability to respond under pressure and clinch a playoff berth, setting the stage for a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons.

The details

The Magic set the tone early and never allowed the Hornets to recover, building a double-digit lead by halftime and continuing to apply pressure on both ends of the floor. Orlando's defensive intensity and ball movement stood out, signaling a return to the identity that carried them through stretches of the regular season.

  • The Magic suffered a 109-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in their first Play-In game on Tuesday, leaving them in a win-or-go-home scenario.
  • The Magic secured the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup with the Detroit Pistons with their 121-90 victory over the Hornets on Friday night.

The players

Jamahl Mosley

The head coach of the Orlando Magic, who cited 'desperation' and urgency as the driving forces behind the team's dominant performance.

Paolo Banchero

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

Franz Wagner

The Magic's second-leading scorer, who had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in the victory.

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What they’re saying

“When you play with a sense of desperation and urgency, when you know you're either going home or extending your season, that's what it looks like. There (are) no second chances.”

— Jamahl Mosley, Head Coach, Orlando Magic

“We were just relentless with that tonight. … It was just a complete effort from the whole team.”

— Paolo Banchero

“We're going to need more of that in the playoffs.”

— Franz Wagner

What’s next

The Magic will face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

The Magic's decisive victory over the Hornets showcased their ability to respond under pressure and clinch a playoff berth, setting the stage for a first-round matchup with the Pistons. The team's renewed focus and energy will be crucial as they look to make a deep postseason run.