Paolo Banchero and the Magic are hosting the Hornets on Prime to open our SoFi Play-In Tournament doubleheader.
We’re bringing you the best of the SoFi Play-In Tournament with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights from the night’s action.
Our slate begins with LaMelo Ball’s Hornets taking on Paolo Banchero’s Magic (7:30 ET, starting lineups), followed by Stephen Curry’s Warriors facing Devin Booker’s Suns (10 ET, starting lineups). Both games are streaming on Prime.
What we know about Friday’s games:
- The Hornets and Magic are playing to become the eight seed in the Eastern Conference, with a trip to Detroit to face the Pistons on the horizon.
- The Warriors and Suns are vying for the eight spot in the West, hoping to take on the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
APRIL 17, 2026 / 7:57 AM ET
Orlando’s defense in control
The Hornets have five turnovers so far to one to the Magic, as Orlando’s held Charlotte to 26.7% shooting so far.
27-10 Magic with 3:43 to go in the first quarter.
“This team was ready,†said Ian Eagle. “And they’re playing like it.â€
APRIL 17, 2026 / 7:51 AM ET
Watch the battle in the paint
The Magic have 12 of their 14 points in the paint so far — if the Hornets can’t contain them at the tin, it could be a long night for them.
Ryan Kalkbrenner, the Hornets’ 7’1″ center who averaged 1.5 blk per game this season, just entered the game.
APRIL 17, 2026 / 7:45 AM ET
Magic up early
10-5. They’re outmuscling the Hornets so far, with both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner driving at Brandon Miller and getting to the rim.
APRIL 17, 2026 / 7:30 AM ET
Get hyped for tonight’s contests
The SoFi Play-In Tournament has been incredible so far. What does tonight’s action have in store?
MUST-WIN @SoFi PLAY-IN MATCHUPS.
🀠Hornets vs. Magic for East 8-seed
🀠Warriors vs. Suns for West 8-seed🠿 CHA/ENT: 7:30pm/et, GSW/PHX: 10pm/et
📺 Prime pic.twitter.com/4Da3J3xFMj— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2026
APRIL 17, 2026 / 5:30 ET
Starting Lineups: Warriors-Suns
Devin Booker and the Suns face Stephen Curry and the Warriors in the nightcap of tonight’s SoFi Play-In Tournament doubleheader on Prime.
- Golden State:
- PG Stephen Curry (26.6 ppg, 4.7 ast)
- SG Brandin Pod Ziemia (13.8 ppg, 5.1 reb)
- SF Gui Santos (9.2 ppg, 3.9 reb)
- PF Draymond Green (8.4 ppg, 5.5 ast)
- C Kristaps Porziņģis (16.1 ppg, 1.1 blk with Golden State)
- Phoenix:
- PG Devin Booker (26.1 ppg, 6.0 ast)
- SG Jalen Green (17.1 ppg, 1.1 stl)
- SF Jordan Goodwin (8.7 ppg, 1.5 stl)
- PF Dillon Brooks (20.2 ppg, 1.0 stl)
- C Mark Williams (8.7 ppg, 4.9 reb)
The Warriors won the season series over the Suns 3-1, with three of the games decided by four points or less.
APRIL 17, 2026 / 5:15 AM ET
Starting Lineups: Hornets-Magic
Paolo Banchero and the Magic host the Charlotte Hornets in the opening half of tonight’s SoFi Play-In Tournament doubleheader on Prime.
- Charlotte:
- PG LaMelo Ball (20.1 ppg, 7.1 ast)
- SG Kon Knueppel (18.5 ppg, 42.5 3PT%)
- SF Brandon Miller (20.2 ppg, 1.0 stl)
- PF Miles Bridges (17.1 ppg, 5.8 reb)
- C Moussa Diabaté (7.9 ppg, 8.7 reb)
- Orlando:
- PG Jalen Suggs (13.8 ppg, 5.5 ast)
- SG Desmond Bane (20.1 ppg, 90.8 FT%)
- SF Franz Wagner (20.6 ppg, 5.2 reb)
- PF Paolo Banchero (22.2 ppg, 8.4 reb)
- C Wendell Carter Jr. (11.8 ppg, 7.4 reb)
The Hornets won the season series over the Magic 3-1, entering today’s contest on a three-game winning streak.
APRIL 17, 2026 / 5:00 AM ET
Tonight’s injury report
Moussa Diabaté is questionable for the Hornets. Wendell Carter Jr. is available for the Magic, while Jonathan Isaac is out.
Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody and Quinten Post remain out for the Warriors, while Kristaps Porziņģis is questionable. Grayson Allen and Mark Williams are questionable for the Suns.
