Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Kia Center, Orlando, FL (Orlando Magic home game)
The Magic, sitting above .500 and in the Eastern Conference playoff mix, host the struggling Hornets, who occupy a lower spot in the East standings. Orlando looks to leverage home advantage and recent dominance in the matchup.
Injury Report
Orlando Magic:
Jalen Suggs (PG/SG): Questionable (right knee MCL contusion). Missed several recent games but upgraded to questionable with potential return; critical for defense and playmaking.
Colin Castleton (C): Out (G-League two-way assignment).
Charlotte Hornets:
KJ Simpson (PG/G): Out (hip/hip flexor strain).
Mason Plumlee (C): Out (right groin surgery; reevaluation ~6 weeks from late December 2025, sidelined through early February).
Hornets’ injury report for this specific game was not fully submitted in some early releases, but key absences are consistent. LaMelo Ball has no reported current injury concerns and is expected to play.
Other notable Hornets players like Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, and centers (e.g., Nick Richards/Mark Williams) appear available barring last-minute updates. Magic’s Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are presumed active.
Key Player Matchups
PG: LaMelo Ball (Hornets – elite passer, high usage) vs. Jalen Suggs (Q) or Cole Anthony (Magic – Suggs provides elite defense/perimeter pressure if active; Anthony brings scoring punch off bench).
SG/SF: Brandon Miller (Hornets – young scorer/wing) vs. Franz Wagner or Gary Harris (Magic – Wagner’s versatility and scoring; defensive wings to contest).
PF: Miles Bridges (Hornets – athletic scorer/rebounder) vs. Paolo Banchero (Magic – star forward, primary creator/scorer).
C: Nick Richards/Mark Williams (Hornets – rim protection/rebounding) vs. Wendell Carter Jr. or Jonathan Isaac (Magic – length, defense, switching).
Magic’s frontcourt depth and defensive versatility (especially if Suggs returns) give them edges in matchups; Hornets rely heavily on Ball’s creation but struggle with consistency and interior depth without Plumlee.
Team Recent Form
Hornets (16-28): Poor overall record, especially on the road (around 9-15 away per reports). Recent form mixed with occasional blowout wins (e.g., high-scoring outputs) but frequent inconsistencies and defensive lapses. They’ve shown flashes (e.g., wins vs. weaker teams) but sit near the bottom of the East.
basketball-reference.com
Magic (23-19): Solid, contending for playoff positioning (around 7th in East). Coming off a recent loss (e.g., 109-126 to MEM on Jan 18), but generally strong at home with good defensive metrics. Inconsistent offense at times but elite defense and rebounding.
basketball-reference.com
Series History
All-time regular season: Magic lead slightly (67-61). In recent years (last 3 seasons including 2025-26): Magic dominate 8-2 SU and ATS. Hornets are just 2-8 in last 10 meetings overall. In last 6 vs. Orlando: Hornets 1-5 SU/ATS; totals lean Under in several recent encounters. Orlando especially strong at home vs. Charlotte (4-1 ATS recent).
Betting Trends
Hornets: 11-5 ATS in last 16 overall but poor 1-5 ATS last 6 vs. Orlando; 4-6 O/U last 10; 25-19 ATS season-long. Magic: 5-12 ATS last 17 (struggling to cover lately) but 4-1 ATS last 5 home vs. Charlotte; 22-20 O/U season; 5-11 SU in recent January games (variable). H2H: Orlando 8-2 SU/ATS last 10 meetings; Under hit in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 vs. Charlotte. General: Magic strong home favorites vs. this opponent; Hornets have covered in broader recent games but falter in this rivalry.
Game Odds
Charlotte Hornets 227.5
Orlando Magic – 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 21, 2026
