Camille Naredo

Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 16, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. David Liam Kyle, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP 

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 16: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 16, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE   David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP (Photo by David Liam Kyle / NBAE / Getty Images / Getty Images via AFP)

Article (news)

Orlando Magic v Cleveland Cavaliers

Agence France-Presse

<p>LOS ANGELES (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The Phoenix Suns ended the Golden State Warriors&#x27; season and the Orlando Magic thrashed the Charlotte Hornets as the NBA playoffs&#x27; final teams were decided Friday.</p><p>Jalen Green put in a dazzling performance with 36 points, including eight triples, to secure the Western Conference No. 8 seed for Phoenix with a 111-96 win over Stephen Curry&#x27;s Warriors.</p><p>The Suns got off to a bright start with a 33-15 lead in the first quarter, before the Warriors cut the deficit to five points at half-time.</p><p>But Phoenix kept a wasteful Golden State at arms&#x27; length, successfully limiting veteran superstar Curry to just 17 points.</p><p>With barely a minute left, Jordan Goodwin intercepted a pass intended for Steph Curry, and scored a transition bucket, before adding a three on Phoenix&#x27;s next possession to secure the win.</p><p>Victory set up a first-round playoff clash for Phoenix with Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions.</p><p>&quot;Happy as hell. We came out on fire, we knew this was a do-or-die game,&quot; said Green, who added six rebounds and four assists.</p><p>For the injury-plagued and ageing Warriors, who won the NBA title in 2022, it was a disappointing end to a third consecutive season in the play-in tournament, crashing out before the playoffs as they did in 2024.</p><p>In fiery late scenes, two Warriors players -- Draymond Green and Devin Booker -- were ejected from the court, with Green continuing to taunt the home Phoenix fans as he departed.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>- Magic outmuscle Hornets -</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1776484849512AFP__20250316__2204929864__v1__Preview__OrlandoMagicVClevelandCavaliers.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 16, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. David Liam Kyle, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP " width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Paolo Banchero #5 of the Orlando Magic talks to the media after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 16, 2025 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. <em>David Liam Kyle, NBAE via Getty Images/AFP </em></span></span></span></div><p>Orlando beat the Hornets 121-90 to keep their season alive and set up a daunting first-round playoff series for the Magic against the Eastern Conference top-seeded Detroit Pistons.</p><p>Paolo Banchero top-scored with 25 points in Orlando&#x27;s last chance to qualify for the post-season via the play-in tournament, having failed at their first attempt against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.</p><p>A physical, tough Magic outfit outmuscled the youthful Hornets from the tip-off of the win-or-go-home game in front of a sell-out 19,000 home crowd at Orlando&#x27;s Kia Canter.</p><p>Banchero bulldozed Charlotte&#x27;s defense, scoring 12 in the first quarter alone.</p><p>Having never trailed by more than a single point, Orlando soon stretched comfortably clear, establishing a giant 35-point lead shortly before half-time.</p><p>Recovering from a sluggish start, LaMelo Bell -- the hero of the Hornets&#x27; first play-in game against Miami on Tuesday -- exploded after the break.</p><p>He poured in 21 points in the third quarter alone as he tried to single-handedly extend Charlotte&#x27;s season.</p><p>But Orlando&#x27;s lead never dipped below 20 points, as the Magic eased to a win against a Charlotte side that had finished the regular season in strong form.</p><p>Victory ensured the Magic have reached the playoffs for the third straight season, while the Hornets&#x27; decade-long wait goes on.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>The Phoenix Suns ended the Golden State Warriors' season and the Orlando Magic thrashed the Charlotte Hornets as the NBA playoffs' final teams were decided Friday.</p>

The Phoenix Suns ended the Golden State Warriors' season and the Orlando Magic thrashed the Charlotte Hornets as the NBA playoffs' final teams were decided Friday.

Suns eliminate Warriors as Magic rout Hornets for final NBA playoff spots

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Suns eliminate Warriors as Magic rout Hornets for final NBA playoff spots

Agence France-Presse

Published April 18, 2026 12:09 PM PHT

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Updated April 18, 2026 02:40 PM PHT

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