NBA Insider Forecasts Charlotte Hornets' Playoff Fate as Season Winds Down

Twice in franchise history, the Charlotte Hornets have made the NBA's Play-In Tournament for the East. Both times, they were the 10th seed, meaning they were one-and-done. And both times, they got decidedly thrashed.

Taking a glance at the standings, the Hornets have clinched a Play-In spot, but they are once again in that unenviable 10th spot. It means that if the season ends like this, they'll have to go on the road and face a one-game elimination scenario.

It's not ideal, and to be totally honest, it's not exactly fair. Since January 1, so three full months, the Hornets have won 67.4% of their games. They're still competing with the 76ers (54.5% since Jan 1), Magic (51.2%), and Heat (51.2%) for Play-In seeding despite being so much better.

Will they survive such an ordeal? Bleacher Report insider Erik Beaston believes so, but he doesn't believe they'll be able to move up in the standings. It's hard to expect that, given their remaining schedule.

Beaston said the 76ers, when fully healthy, are the best team of the bunch. Again, it's hard to disagree after last weekend's barn-burner with Charlotte. Still, he had some praise for the Hornets, who are 7-3 in the last 10, best among those four teams.

"While they are a fun bunch of young players to watch, they lack experience and physicality. Still, when compared to Miami and Orlando, they are playing the best of the bunch and will have as strong a shot as any to cash their ticket to the postseason," Beaston wrote.

His final prediction was that the 76ers and Hornets would advance to the playoffs, with Philadelphia taking the seven seed and Charlotte as the eight. That would, barring a surprise in the next few days, match the Hornets with the Pistons in the first round.

Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) drives to the basket against the Charlotte Hornets | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

If Cade Cunningham continues to miss time due to a collapsed lung, the Hornets might be able to pull that off. Otherwise, it's hard to forecast a series win. The Pistons swept the season series, winning by an average of 16.

The Hornets don't match up well with the Pistons, and Cunningham is likely to be back. Making the playoffs would be huge, but it would ultimately end in disappointment. Facing the Celtics or Knicks might be a different story.

However, as Beaston mentioned, this team has virtually no postseason experience. Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball were on those Play-In teams, but does getting blown out twice several years ago help? Coby White's been in the Play-In, too, but that was with an entirely different team.

Still, making it would be fantastic for the growth of this franchise. Just look at what a playoff series loss in 2024-25 did for the Pistons.

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter for the latest news and updates on the Charlotte Hornets