The Magic Insider

Magic Breeze by Hornets, Clinching Play-In Spot

The Orlando Magic is in the postseason after beating the Charlotte Hornets.

Jeremy Brener

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ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic will be playing bonus basketball this season after a 112-92 blowout against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night at the Kia Center.

The win secures the Magic a spot in at least the Play-In Tournament, the first time Orlando has seen a postseason since 2020.

Markelle Fultz Hornets
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

The Magic came out hot, limiting the Hornets to just 17 points in the first quarter. Orlando's lead kept growing and the team led by 41 at one point during the game.

Things began to get chippy towards the end of the first half when Davis Bertans struck Jalen Suggs in the head with an elbow. Bertans received a Flagrant 2 foul and was ejected.

That only added fuel to the Magic's fire, leading the team to an easy second half as the game was out of reach.

Cole Anthony led the Magic in scoring with 21 points, while Jalen Suggs added 16 of his own. For the Hornets, No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller also scored 21.

The Magic's win was a microcosm of the season up until this point ... strong defense, offense by committee, and overall toughness. That has led the team to this point and is why the team will be playing in the postseason.

Power Rankings: Magic 'Legitimate Chance' at No. 2 Seed?

The Magic's eight-game homestand continues Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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