Charlotte Hornets Clinch No. 9 Seed with Victory Over New York Knicks

The Charlotte Hornets secured their position in the 2026 NBA postseason with a decisive 110-96 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday, April 12. The win officially clinched the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference for the Hornets, marking a significant turnaround for a franchise seeking its first playoff appearance since 2016.

Game Analysis: Hornets Dominate in New York

Charlotte’s balanced offensive attack proved too much for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Coby White each contributed 19 points to lead the Hornets to victory. Rookie sensation Kon Knueppel also played a pivotal role, scoring 14 points and hitting three 3-pointers.

Knueppel’s performance further cemented a record-setting rookie campaign. He currently leads the NBA with 273 3-pointers, placing him in a tight race with Duke teammate Cooper Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award, according to ESPN.

Knicks Rest Starters as Seed is Locked

With the New York Knicks already locked into the No. 3 seed in the East, head coach Mike Brown opted to rest key personnel. Star players Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby did not play. Anunoby, who is considered day-to-day with a sprained left ankle, was among those sidelined.

Mikal Bridges was the only starter to see the court, playing just 23 seconds to extend his consecutive games played streak to 638—the eighth-longest streak in NBA history—before checking out after committing a foul. Deuce McBride led the Knicks’ scoring effort with 21 points, followed by Jose Alvarado with 16.

Key Takeaways from the Matchup

• Hornets’ Momentum: Charlotte finished the regular season with a 44-38 record, winning 17 of their last 21 road games.
• Knicks’ Standing: New York finished the season 53-29 and is set to face the No. 6 seed Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the playoffs.
• Rookie Records: Kon Knueppel has set a new rookie record for three-pointers made in a single season.

The Road to the Playoffs: What’s Next for Charlotte

The Hornets’ journey to the playoffs is far from over. As the No. 9 seed, they will host the No. 10 seed Miami Heat on Tuesday in the play-in tournament. To advance, Charlotte must win that game and then travel on Friday to face the loser of the matchup between the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers and No. 8 Orlando Magic.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the Hornets play in the play-in tournament?

The Hornets will host the Miami Heat on Tuesday.

Who is leading the Rookie of the Year race?

The race is currently a close contest between Kon Knueppel and Cooper Flagg.

What is Mikal Bridges’ current games played streak?

Bridges has played in 638 consecutive games, which is the eighth-longest streak in NBA history.