Final Injury Report for Hornets-Magic: Will Moussa Diabate, Jett Howard Play?
The Charlotte Hornets are on the road on Friday night as they travel to take on the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.
Charlotte enters Friday's game coming off a victory over the Miami Heat at home in overtime on Tuesday night to keep their season alive.
In Tuesday's victory over the Heat, LaMelo Ball led the way for the Hornets as he recorded 30 points, five rebounds and 10 assists while Miles Bridges added 28 points and nine rebounds of his own.
Now Charlotte will try to clinch the No. 8 seed in the East with a victory over the Magic on Friday as they look to set up a series against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs.
On the other side, Orlando enters Friday's game coming off a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on the road on Wednesday night.
Desmond Bane led the way for the Magic in Wednesday's loss as he ended the game with 34 points, three rebounds and three assists while Paolo Banchero recorded 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.
While both teams are looking to pick up a victory to keep their seasons alive and clinch a spot in the playoffs, both squads may be without multiple key players due to injuries.
Hornets Injury Report: Will Moussa Diabate Play?
For the Hornets, they have two players listed on their injury report, including center Moussa Diabate.
Charlotte has listed Diabate as questionable due to left hip soreness that appeared to bother him towards the end of Tuesday's victory over the Heat.
INJURY REPORT: @hornets at ORL 4/17
— Charlotte Hornets PR (@HornetsPR) April 16, 2026
Moussa Diabate (L Hip Soreness) is questionable
If Diabate is sidelined against the Magic, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Grant Williams and Xavier Tillman could all be in line for increased roles.
The Hornets have ruled out PJ Hall as he will miss the remainder of the season while recovering from surgery to repair a fracture in his right ankle.
Magic Injury Report: Will Jett Howard, Jonathan Isaac Play?
On the other side, the Magic have only one player listed on their injury report as they have listed Jonathan Isaac as questionable.
Orlando has listed Isaac as questionable due to a left knee sprain that has kept him out for all but one game since March 5.
The #Magic list Jonathan Isaac (left knee sprain) as Questionable for Friday's play-in game against the Hornets.
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) April 16, 2026
Wendell Carter Jr. remains in a face mask for his broken nose. pic.twitter.com/KtY9WWsSEk
If Isaac is unable to return against the Hornets, Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain could both continue to have increased roles.
The good news for the Magic is that Jett Howard is off their injury report completely after returning from a five-game absence due to a left ankle sprain on Wednesday night.
Fans can catch Friday night's matchup between the Hornets and Magic from Orlando at 7:30 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM.