The Orlando Magic officially punched their ticket to the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2026, with a dominant 121-90 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at the Kia Center. Led by a commanding performance from Paolo Banchero, the Magic secured the East's No. 8 seed and ended the Hornets' postseason hopes in blowout fashion. Game Recap: A First-Half Surge
: Orlando shot a crisp 50% from the field, while Charlotte struggled to find any rhythm, shooting just 34% overall. NBA PL: Hornets - Magic
: Paolo Banchero set the tone early, scoring 25 points to lead all scorers and propel Orlando into the first round. The Orlando Magic officially punched their ticket to
The game was effectively decided early as Orlando opened with a relentless attack. Game Recap: A First-Half Surge : Orlando shot
: With this loss, the Hornets have now missed the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons , the longest active drought in the NBA. What's Next?
Charlotte Hornets vs Orlando Magic Apr 17, 2026 Game ... - NBA
: The Magic raced to a 27-10 lead in the first quarter and ballooned that lead to 68-33 late in the first half.