Hornets’ path to ending NBA’s longest playoff drought goes through Orlando
If the Charlotte Hornets are going to end the NBA’s longest playoff drought, the road will have to go through the Sunshine State.
With No. 7 Philadelphia topping No. 8 Orlando 109-97 at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Wednesday night, the stage is now set for the Hornets.
Charlotte must beat the Magic at Kia Center on Friday to claim the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference and secure a best-of-seven first-round series with the top-seeded Detroit Pistons, beginning Sunday at Little Caesars Arena.
Tipoff in Orlando is set for 7:30 p.m.
One thing the Hornets have going for them?
Charlotte took the season series from Orlando 3-1, winning the final three matchups after falling to the Magic the day before Halloween. That includes both dates in Orlando, which should be a mental booster for the Hornets.
This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 10:18 PM with the headline "Hornets’ path to ending NBA’s longest playoff drought goes through Orlando."
