Orlando Magic Secures Playoff Spot, Hornets' Offense Crumbles

0:00On April 18, Orlando Magic crushed the Charlotte Hornets 121-9 on Friday night, snatching the East's final playoff spot. The Hornets, who needed a win to extend their season, got smothered early and never recovered, marking their 10th straight year without playoffs. The first half was a nightmare for Charlotte, scoring just 37 points on 13-41 shooting, while Orlando doubled them on, rebounds 24-12. Turnovers piled up to 15, and the Magic blocked eight shots, building a lead as big as 35 by the break. Lamello Ball started ice cold with only two points before heating up too late, and the bench win 1-9 from the field with zero lift. On the other side, Paolo Banchero dropped 23 points, four boards, and six assists, shaking off recent struggles to lead Orlando's charge. Rookie Kahn Newepple, who lit it up from three all season, ran out of gas in the play-in, averaging eight-and-a-half points on 22.7. Percent shooting, and just 8.3 from deep across two games.

1:03Charlotte finished the night at 33.7% from the field, jacking 45-3s with 16 turnovers and only 17. Assist, this loss exposes how the Hornets offense, which carried them to a winning record, crumbled under play and pressure. Orlando heads to the playoffs buzzing, while Charlotte shifts to off-season rebuild mode. That's the story for today, Charlotte Hornets News Today, driven by AI.