Follow live: Magic off to hot start with 8-seed on the line

NBA play-in live updates: Hornets-Magic, Warriors-Suns

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NBA play-in live updates: Hornets-Magic, Warriors-SunsOrlando Magic12mESPN staffFrank: Clippers' goal remains to 'win with Kawhi'LA Clippers4hKris Rhim'It's all basketball': LaMelo says no rift with BamMiami Heat7hOhm YoungmisukBrazil basketball legend Oscar Schmidt dies at 684hLuka, Cunningham win appeal, eligible for awardsLos Angeles Lakers1dTim BontempsSpoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any furtherMiami Heat1dNuggets-Pacers to play in Mexico City next seasonIndiana Pacers23h2026 NBA playoffs: Predicting each series, including the FinalsCharlotte Hornets4dZach KramNBA awards: Bontemps' ballot for MVP, top rookie, every honorCleveland Cavaliers13hTim BontempsMeet 'Dillon the villain': The NBA's biggest antagonist beloved by teammatesPhoenix Suns13hTim MacMahonSlams, blocks and game winners: Top 10 plays from Wemby's record-setting seasonSan Antonio Spurs13hMichael C. Wright'A bigger shock to the system than we acknowledged': How 48 hours changed the Lakers' seasonLos Angeles Lakers2dDave McMenaminInside the end of the Ja Morant era in MemphisMemphis Grizzlies2dTim MacMahon and Michael C. WrightNBA Rank, playoffs edition: The 50 most impactful players in the 2026 postseasonAtlanta Hawks3dZach KramNBA Futures: Thunder, Celtics favored to make FinalsOklahoma City Thunder9hDoug GreenbergNBA season grades: Why play-in darling Charlotte gets one of 7 AsCleveland Cavaliers3dTim BontempsNBA offseason guides: Draft, free agency, trade targets for eliminated teamsNew Orleans Pelicans7hBobby MarksESPN staffApr 17, 2026, 08:15 PM ETMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIt's win or go home for four teams Friday as the NBA play-in tournament concludes.

The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Hornets with the winner earning the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed. Orlando lost to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and the Hornets survived to defeat the Miami Heat on Tuesday, setting up the matchup. Whichever team wins will face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round.

Charlotte, looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016, won the season series 3-1 against Orlando with all three victories coming by at least 15 points. The Magic can reach the playoffs for the third straight season.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors travel to play the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated Phoenix on Tuesday, and the next night, Golden State stormed back to beat the LA Clippers. The winner of the matchup moves on to the first round to go against the top-seeded and defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Warriors defeated the Suns three out of four times in the regular season. But their most recent matchup was Feb. 5 and didn't include Golden State star Stephen Curry or Phoenix stars Devin Booker and Jalen Green. Curry is coming off a 35-point performance, including 27 in the second half, against the Clippers.

Who will keep their season alive Friday? Follow along for all the top moments.