Charlotte has a little work to do if it plans on having any shot at a December trip to Las Vegas, site of the tournament’s championship game for the second straight year. A 114-89 loss to the Magic in a East Group A matchup at Kia Center means the Hornets will have to dig out of a hole to advance out of pool play.

Nov 6, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Fans react as Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) jumps on the back of forward Brandon Miller (24) after his final second put back wins the game against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The court inside Kia Center might have looked different than usual for Orlando‘s first NBA Cup group play matchup against the Hornets — it was light gray with a large gold trophy in the center and a blue outline — but the Magic‘s pathway to victory looked much the same Tuesday night as it did in their last two.