NBA play-in tournament: Real-time updates from Friday’s games
It’s a do-or-die situation for four teams on Friday as the NBA play-in tournament wraps up.
The Orlando Magic will take on the Charlotte Hornets, with the victor securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 seed. Orlando faced a defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, while the Hornets managed to overcome the Miami Heat on Tuesday, leading to this matchup. The winning team will advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the opening round.
Charlotte aims to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016 and has won the season series 3-1 against Orlando, with all three wins coming by a margin of at least 15 points. The Magic are looking to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors are set to play the Phoenix Suns for the No. 8 seed. The Portland Trail Blazers triumphed over Phoenix on Tuesday, and the following night, Golden State made a comeback to defeat the LA Clippers. The winner of this contest will proceed to the first round to face the top-seeded and reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Warriors secured victories against the Suns three times out of four during the regular season. However, their latest encounter was on February 5 and did not feature Golden State’s star Stephen Curry or Phoenix’s stars Devin Booker and Jalen Green. Curry recently delivered a 35-point performance, including 27 points in the second half, against the Clippers.
Which team will extend their season on Friday? Stay tuned for all the key moments.
