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What channel is Magic vs. Hornets on today? Time, TV schedule to watch 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The NBA Play-In Tournament has only two games left on Friday night, the first of which is the Orlando Magic hosting the Charlotte Hornets at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Charlotte began its tournament in a must-win game against the Miami Heat. Buzz City was able to get past Miami in overtime, but not without a bit of controversy. During the second quarter, Bam Adebayo blocked one of LaMelo Ball's shots, with Ball ending up on the deck. The Hornets star ended up grabbing Adebayo's leg and bringing him down awkwardly on his tailbone. Miami's single-game scoring record-holder left the game and would not return, leading to a narrow 127-126 defeat.
Orlando's season has come off the rails down the line. In the last 20 regular-season games, they went 10-10, including a 113-108 loss in their final game of the season to a Celtics team that was resting their starters. The loss spiraled the team into the No. 8 spot of the Play-In, where they lost their first game to the Philadelphia 76ers by 12 points. A large part of why they lost so handily was Paolo Banchero's struggles. The Orlando star shot just 31.8% from the floor (7/22) and finished with 18 points. Desmond Bane's efficient 34 points were not enough to pull Orlando in front. The Magic will need to play fast against the Hornets, but their players have already been awaiting Jamahl Mosley's inevitable firing.
Heading into Friday's game, the Hornets have won three straight matchups against the Magic by an average of 20 points. The Charlotte faithful did their job, pushing their team to victory in the first game, but their team will be on the road in Orlando for this game. This shouldn't be a problem, as Charlotte has actually played better on the road this season.
Here's what you need to know about Friday's matchup between the Magic and Hornets, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is Magic vs. Hornets on today?
- TV channel: None
- Live stream: Prime Video
Under the NBA’s new media rights agreement, every game of the 2026 Play-In Tournament will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, marking the first time the entire tournament has shifted to a streaming-only platform.
Magic vs. Hornets start time
- Date: Friday, April 17
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament game between the Magic and Hornets is set to tip off Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET from Kia Center in Orlando, Fla.
This is the first time Orlando and Charlotte are meeting in the Play-In Tournament. The last time these two met after the regular season was during the 2010 First Round, when the Magic swept the Hornets.
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule 2026
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., April 17 | Hornets vs. Magic | 7:30 p.m. | Prime Video |
| Suns vs. Warriors | 10 p.m. | Prime Video |
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 14-17 |
| First round begins | April 18 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 4* |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 10 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 19* |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20* |
| NBA Finals begin | June 3 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 19 |
* Can move up depending on earlier series
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- Latest NBA news and rumors
- Full 2025-26 NBA schedule and scores
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- The GOAT Debate: Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James
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