Where the Hornets Are in the Standings After Suns Win, What's Left

It's been a while since there has been meaningful basketball in the Queen City in early April. You would have to rewind the clock back three to four years, and even then, it didn't feel as promising or as important as what this group is doing in 2025-26.

Whether it's appearing in the Play-In tournament or clinching a top-six spot in the Eastern Conference to secure a best-of-7 series, things feel different with the organization.

Many look at Miami's run from the Play-In to the NBA Finals or Indiana's run to the Finals a year ago when talking about this team. I know, it's hard to actually believe, but since roughly Christmas, the Charlotte Hornets have been one of the best teams in the entire NBA, and the analytics back it up on both ends of the floor. It's not a fluke, Fool's Gold, or some two-week blip on the radar. This team is legit and has every right to believe they make a deep run this postseason.

On Thursday night, the Hornets beat the Phoenix Suns, bringing them to 41-36 on the season. Here's a look at where the Bugs are with just five games remaining and who is left on the slate.

Updated Eastern Conference Standings

1. Detroit Pistons 56-21 (-)

2. Boston Celtics 51-25 (4.5)

3. New York Knicks 49-28 (7)

4. Cleveland Cavaliers 48-29 (8)

5. Atlanta Hawks 44-33 (12)

6. Philadelphia 76ers 42-34 (13.5)

7. Toronto Raptors 42-34 (13.5)

8. Charlotte Hornets 41-36 (15)

9. Orlando Magic 40-36 (15.5)

10. Miami Heat 40-37 (16)

Remaining Games

Fri. vs. Indiana Pacers (18-58)

Sunday at Minnesota Timberwolves (46-30)

4/7 at Boston Celtics (51-25)

4/10 vs. Detroit Pistons (56-21)

4/12 at New York Knicks (49-28)

What is a realistic seed for the Hornets?

Reaching the top six is going to be pretty difficult at this stage, but seventh is certainly within reach, in my opinion. The way the schedule is set up is actually pretty favorable for Charlotte, assuming the top three seeds get locked up before they enter a three-game stretch against them to end the season. With the Pistons taking down Minnesota tonight, they need just one more win to lock up the No. 1 seed. Boston, which was idle tonight, can do the same thing with the No. 2 seed with a few more wins. Depending on how the results go around New York, they could be locked into the No. 4 seed. One more win for them will guarantee a top-four spot. So, yes, there's a chance Boston, Detroit, and New York could play the Hornets with their 'B' team, if you will. If that happens and Charlotte takes care of business against lowly Indiana, that puts them at a potential 44 wins.