How to watch Hornets vs. Magic in 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament for free

We’re just one day away from the start of the NBA Playoffs, but before they can begin, there are still two No. 8 seed to be determined in the final round of the Play-In Tournament.

First up: the Eastern Conference matchup between the Orlando Magic and Charlotte Hornets.

Charlotte is back in the playoff race for the first time in ten seasons. The Hornets won their first play-in game against the Miami Heat in a close 127-126 overtime thriller, where LaMelo Ball hit the game-winning layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime.

Orlando is coming into today’s do-or-die matchup following a 109-97 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament.

While the loser of tonight’s game’s playoff road ends here, the winner advances into the main playoff bracket and will be back in action on Sunday, April 19, against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons.

Hornets vs. Magic start time:

The Hornets vs. Magic game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight, April 17, but pregame coverage on Prime Video will begin at 7 p.m.

How to watch Hornets vs. Magic for free:

The entire NBA Play-In Tournament, including Hornets vs. Magic, is streaming exclusively on Prime Video, so you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch the game.

If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.

All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six years and get all the perks.

NBA Playoffs key dates:

• April 14-17: NBA Play-In Tournament
• April 18: NBA Playoffs First Round begins
• June 3: Game 1 of the NBA Finals

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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