Hornets' Playoff Drought Continues, Magic Advance

0:00It's April 18th. This is Charlotte Hornet's News Today, AI-powered updates on your team. I'm Cory with the Story. The Charlotte Hornet season came to a crashing end Friday night, dropping a 121-90B down to the Orlando Magic in the Ummening. Play in Tournament. Orlando jumped out fast, grabbing control just two minutes and 15 seconds into the first quarter and never looking back. Up 38, too. 16 after 168 to 37 at the half. Charlotte just couldn't get their groove, hitting only 13 field goals before half-time, while turning it over 14 times. Lamello Ball led them with 23 points on 7 of 17 shooting, including 3 from deep and perfect from the line, but he was quiet. Early with fouls piling up into the lead ballooned. Ball owned most of his damage in the third quarter, scoring 21 there after a slow start. In this game, the 24-year-old kept it real, saying the lost things, but it's all about learning lessons, evolving and pushing forward.

1:02His season line was solid, 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 boards, and 1.2 steals over 28. Minutes a night, hitting 20 plus in 35 regular games, plus both play-ins. That defeat stretches Charlotte's NBA worst playoff drought since 2016, while the Magic snagged the eighth seed and tip off against the day. Detroit Pistons Sunday at 6.30 p.m., Eastern Orlando's Rolling Hornets Rebuilding.