Despite the Hornets winning three out of four regular-season matchups, Orlando dominated the elimination game from the opening tip. The Magic established a 22-point lead by the end of the first quarter and never trailed, eventually stretching the margin to as many as 35 points.
: Led all scorers with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting, adding 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Orlando Magic v. Charlotte Hornets
: Orlando held Charlotte's high-octane offense to just 34% shooting from the floor and 30% from three-point range. Despite the Hornets winning three out of four
The secured their spot in the 2026 NBA Playoffs by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 121–90 in a high-stakes Play-In Tournament finale on April 17, 2026. Fri, Apr 17 Magic won! Play-In Tournament Masterclass : Orlando held Charlotte's high-octane offense to just
: Five Magic players scored in double figures, including Franz Wagner (18 points) and Wendell Carter Jr. (16 points on 6-of-7 shooting). 2025-26 Season Series & Context
The regular-season series favored Charlotte, but Orlando's late-season adjustments proved decisive when it mattered most. Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets: Game Preview - NBA