Orlando Magic win play-in game, become No. 8 seed

The Orlando Magic won their play-in game against the Charlotte Hornets by 31 points, securing the 8th seed. This is a much bigger win than their last play-in game.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Orlando Dominates Charlotte to Earn Eastern Conference Playoff Berth

The Orlando Magic have clinched the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, steamrolling the Charlotte Hornets in a decisive play-in tournament game. The Magic secured their spot with a decisive 121-90 victory on Friday night, establishing a commanding 35-point lead by halftime.

NBA playoffs: No. 8 seed Magic stun top-seeded Pistons with wire-to-wire Game 1 win - 1

The Magic's performance, characterized by significant early control and sustained intensity, propels them into the postseason against the top-seeded Pistons.

NBA playoffs: No. 8 seed Magic stun top-seeded Pistons with wire-to-wire Game 1 win - 2

Paolo Banchero spearheaded Orlando's offense, scoring a game-high 25 points. Supporting him were Wendell Carter Jr., who added 16 points on efficient 6-of-7 shooting, and Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs, contributing 13 and 12 points respectively. For the Hornets, Miles Bridges managed 15 points, in a game where his team struggled to gain traction. The Hornets’ offensive and defensive efforts appeared outmatched from the outset, contributing to their large deficit.

NBA playoffs: No. 8 seed Magic stun top-seeded Pistons with wire-to-wire Game 1 win - 3

Postseason Matchups and Schedule

With their play-in victory, the Magic are now set to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Their Game 1 matchup is scheduled for Sunday, April 19th, at 6:30 p.m., to be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The series will continue with Game 2 in Detroit on Wednesday, April 22nd, before returning to Orlando for Game 3 on Saturday, April 25th.

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The NBA postseason bracket now features several other confirmed pairings. The Boston Celtics will meet the winner of another play-in game, while the San Antonio Spurs are slated to play the Philadelphia 76ers. Other matchups include the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, alongside games featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and other Western Conference qualifiers.

Context of the Play-In Tournament

The SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, which precedes the main playoff rounds, allows teams seeded 7th through 10th in each conference to compete for the final two playoff spots – the 7th and 8th seeds. This format offers a crucial pathway for teams to extend their seasons and contend for a championship, even if they did not secure a top-six seed during the regular season. The Magic's path to this position included a previous play-in game loss, highlighting their resilience in overcoming that setback to secure the final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did the Orlando Magic become the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs?
The Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 in a play-in game on Friday night. This win gave them the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Q: Who will the Orlando Magic play against in the NBA playoffs?
The Orlando Magic will play against the Detroit Pistons, who are the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Their first game is on Sunday, April 19th at 6:30 p.m.
Q: What was the score of the play-in game between the Magic and the Hornets?
The Orlando Magic won against the Charlotte Hornets with a score of 121-90. The Magic had a 35-point lead by halftime.
Q: Who were the top scorers in the Magic vs. Hornets play-in game?
Paolo Banchero scored 25 points for the Magic. Wendell Carter Jr. scored 16 points, Desmond Bane scored 13, and Jalen Suggs scored 12. For the Hornets, Miles Bridges scored 15 points.