NBA playoffs 2026: Magic make Hornets disappear with 121-90 play-in win, advance to face Pistons

The Orlando Magic won the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, demolishing the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA play-in tournament, 121-90. Orlando will now face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in a first-round playoff matchup beginning on Sunday.

Paolo Banchero scored 25 points with five rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner followed with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 16 points (hitting both of his 3-point tries) and six boards.

Orlando put the Hornets in a deep hole early with stifling defense and accurate shooting. The Magic forced four turnovers and blocked two shots in the opening 12 minutes and had runs of 10-0 and 13-0 to seize control of the game. Hornets coach Charles Lee twice called timeout in an attempt to slow Orlando down, but that didn’t work.

The Magic led 38-16 after the first quarter, shooting 67% (16-of-24) from the floor. Banchero started red-hot, scoring 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Carter was right behind him, tallying 10 and hitting all four of his shots.

Stymied by a tight Magic defense, the Hornets began shooting 25% (5-for-20) and an offense dependent on the 3-pointer couldn’t hit any, going 3-of-10 from behind the arc in the opening 12 minutes.

Orlando didn’t let up in the second quarter, continuing its defensive pressure and making the Hornets settle for poor shots. The Magic finished the half with five blocks and held Charlotte to 34% shooting. LaMelo Ball scored only two points, hampered in part by three personal fouls.

Miles Bridges showed his frustration by getting called for a technical foul while pushing down on Desmond Bane after a loose-ball foul.

Game 1 of the Magic-Pistons first-round NBA playoff series is scheduled for Sunday with tip-off at 6:30 p.m. ET. The two teams split their regular-season series with each team winning two of four matchups.