CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Hornets will host a watch party in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood on Friday, during a win-or-go-home game that will determine the team’s playoff fate.
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.
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 here to claim tickets. Tickets appear to be free, although the ticket claim form noted that fan entry is based on venue capacity.
Fans unable to make it to the watch party can catch the game on Amazon Prime Video at 7:30 p.m.
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.
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.
FanDuel listed the Hornets as three-point betting favorites over the Magic as of mid-morning on Friday.
The Hornets will host a watch party during Friday’s win-or-go-home game against the Magic.(Nell Redmond | AP)Click here for more Hornets coverage
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