Magic handle Hornets in play-in, will face Pistons in first round of playoffs
ORLANDO, Fla. — Magic coach Jamahl Mosley and multiple players made it clear at shootaround Friday morning that Orlando wanted to set a physical tone from the jump in a win-or-go-home NBA play-in game against the Hornets inside Kia Center. Facing elimination, the Magic steamrolled the Hornets and clinched their spot in the NBA playoffs for the third year in a row.
Playing in front of a national TV audience on Amazon’s Prime Video and a rowdy fan base inside its home arena, Orlando smothered Charlotte in a 121-90 victory. With the win, the Magic advance to the playoffs as the No. 8 seed in the East and will open their best-of-seven first-round series against the top-seeded Pistons on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p. m. on NBC and Peacock.
Behind a combined 84 points from its starting lineup — Paolo Banchero (25), Franz Wagner (18), Wendell Carter Jr. (16), Desmond Bane (13) and Jalen Suggs (12) — Orlando dominated the paint 64-28 and fast-break points 22-7 over the Hornets. The Magic turned up the heat on the defensive end of the floor by scoring 26 points off 20 Charlotte turnovers and holding the Hornets to just 33.
7% shooting from the floor. With the loss, an otherwise encouraging season for a young Charlotte squad (44-38) ends in the play-in while the Magic (45-37) extend their year into the first round of the playoffs. Strong start Banchero penetrated the paint early and often and didn’t settle on the offensive end of the floor.