The Charlotte Hornets are one win away from ending a decade-long playoff drought as they prepare to face the Orlando Magic for the final spot on Friday night in the Eastern Conference.
At the half, the Magic has completely dominated the game, 68-37. Charlotte had 14 turnovers in the first half, making only making 13 field goals.
2nd Quarter:
And now the ugly…
After review, #Hornets Miles Bridges given the tech for “Unsportsmanlike” conduct during a dead ball.
The Magic lead over the Hornets is up to 28. @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/SA8yPASup8
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) April 18, 2026
1st Quarter:
Soooooo….
Let’s just say the first quarter was rough. The #Hornets down 22 points (38-16), shooting 25% from the floor.
Orlando meanwhile, they’re up to nearly 67% shooting from the floor, outscoring the #Hornets 24-4 in the paint. @wsoctv
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) April 18, 2026
So far, not good…
The #Magic shooting 66% from the floor, and built a 17-point lead over the #Hornets with 3:44 left in the 1Q.
Still plenty of time. The Hornets need to start chipping away….
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) April 18, 2026
Win. In. #Hornets | @wsoctvpic.twitter.com/1rkmgh3kgk
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) April 17, 2026
Previous coverage:
The team that continues to gain confidence, especially after the battle against the Miami Heat.
The Hornets survived a win-or-go-home scenario on Tuesday with the 127-126 victory over Miami, and their reward? To do it again.
However, this is for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
They’ve already played Orlando four times this season and won three of those games.
The NBA said Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball should have been ejected for an uncalled flagrant foul when he reached out and tugged on the ankle of Miami’s Bam Adebayo.
Ball spoke Friday for the first time since the league fined him three days before.
“It’s all basketball. I feel like Bam knows,” Ball said. “We never had anything going on. I never had anything with anybody. I just go out there and play basketball. Even the one before. I’ve seen it. I tried to foul him.”
“Message, mindset, is to take the confidence of the last game, understanding that we are built for this moment,” said coach Charles Lee. “We have earned this moment, but on every possession, this is all we’re guaranteed is this one game.”
The Hornets are learning postseason is a completely different beast.
“There were a bunch of moments where you’re like, ‘Oh wow, we’re in a good spot. We’re going to win,’ and then you’re like, ‘Oh no, we could lose this game,’ but I think the guys stayed steady,” coach Lee said on Thursday. “The communication was really good. The execution in crucial moments was great. I think the last two days have been good for us to rest, recover, eat, sleep.”
“Obviously, the goal isn’t to go back and forth with a great scoring team,” Hornets’ Brandon Miller said on Thursday. “We always want to get a few stops.”
Lee spoke about Ball’s fines on Thursday, as well.
Coach Lee said he loved that Ball took accountability and didn’t believe it was malicious.
He also said he’s relieved that Ball will be available to play.
VIDEO: Hornets to face Magic in final play-in battle
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