The Charlotte Hornets are set to face the Orlando Magic in a crucial game that will decide their playoff fate.
A Hornets watch party is scheduled in Charlotte as the team vies for a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Hornets Host Watch Party for Playoff Decider
The Hornets will host a watch party in Charlotte’s South End neighbourhood on Friday. The game will determine the team’s playoff fate.
The team’s official watch party is set to begin at 7 p.m. at Slate Charlotte, roughly 30 minutes before tipoff.
Fans can expect to see Hugo the Hornet at the watch party, as well as the Hive entertainment teams. Giveaways are also planned.
Hornets fans interested in attending the watch party can RSVP to claim tickets. Tickets appear to be free, although fan entry is based on venue capacity.
Matchup Details: Hornets vs. Magic
The winner of the April 17 matchup between the Hornets and Magic will get the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Charlotte beat Orlando three out of the four times they played during the regular season, most recently on March 19. Those three Hornets wins came by an average of 20.3 points.
FanDuel listed the Hornets as three-point betting favourites over the Magic as of mid-morning on Friday.
Playoff Implications for Charlotte
If Charlotte could win Friday night, it would mark the team’s first playoff appearance since 2016 and would end the NBA’s longest postseason drought.
Charlotte has statistically been one of the NBA’s best teams over the past couple months, having roared back from a slow start to the 2025-2026 season. The Hornets advanced to Friday’s game with a 127-126 overtime win over the Heat on Tuesday.
Fans unable to make it to the watch party can catch the game on Amazon Prime Video at 7:30 p.m.