The Orlando Magic have punched their ticket to the NBA Playoffs with a record-breaking victory in the play-in tournament, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 121-90. This dominant performance secured their spot in the first round, where they will face the Detroit Pistons.
With this decisive win, the Orlando Magic have qualified for the NBA Playoffs at the very last moment. The team, featuring brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner, crushed the Charlotte Hornets with a final score of 121-90 in the play-in tournament. They are set to face the Detroit Pistons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, in the first knockout round.
Orlando had missed their initial opportunity to advance in the play-ins on Wednesday (local time) against the Philadelphia 76ers, losing 97-109 and subsequently needing an extra step. However, they showcased a strong performance in their do-or-die game. At halftime, they held a commanding 68-37 lead (+31), marking the largest lead ever recorded by an NBA team at the 24-minute mark since the tournament’s introduction in the 2020-21 season.
World and European Champion Franz Wagner contributed 18 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. His older brother, Moritz, who has recently seen limited playing time for Orlando, finished with no points in just over six minutes on the court. Tristan da Silva scored five points.
«I liked our energy from the first tip-off,» said Franz Wagner. «We were fully focused on the game plan and executed it well. And that’s exactly what we’ll need in the playoffs.»
Orlando to Face Detroit in First Round
Game one of the best-of-seven series will take place in Detroit on Monday morning (0:30 AM CEST). Orlando is considered a clear underdog against the Pistons.
Franz Wagner and his teammates finished the regular season in eighth place in the East, necessitating their participation in the play-in tournament. Orlando has been eliminated in the first round in each of the past two seasons and is expected to face a tough challenge to advance further this time.
With their victory over the Hornets, all seven German NBA professionals have now qualified for the playoffs. Champions Isaiah Hartenstein (Oklahoma City Thunder), national team captain Dennis Schröder (Cleveland Cavaliers), Maximilian Kleber (Los Angeles Lakers), and Ariel Hukporti (New York Knicks) had already secured direct berths into the round of 16.
In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns claimed the final playoff spot with a 111-96 win over the Golden State Warriors. The Arizona-based team will now play against OKC and Hartenstein.