Resolution Criteria

The market resolves YES if the Charlotte Hornets finish 7th or higher in the Eastern Conference standings at the end of the 2025–26 NBA regular season. In the NBA, the teams ranked 7th through 10th in each conference enter the play-in tournament, while the top six qualify directly for the playoffs. The regular season ends on April 12, 2026, and final standings on NBA.com or ESPN after that date should be used for resolution.

Background

As of March 28, 2026, the Hornets are 8th in the Eastern Conference at 39–34. They are one game behind the Philadelphia 76ers, who are 7th at 40–33. The Eastern Conference race is tight, with several teams clustered near the play-in line.

Considerations

Charlotte is currently battling with the teams around the play-in cutoff, so its final seed will depend on both its own remaining games and the results of teams directly above and below it in the standings.

The main fixes were: the Hornets are not 10th right now, the season ends on April 12, 2026 rather than April 12 “after the regular season concludes” being left vague, and “top 7” is clearer as 7th or higher.

Resolution Criteria

The market resolves YES if the Charlotte Hornets finish 7th or higher in the Eastern Conference standings at the end of the 2025–26 NBA regular season. The regular season ends on April 12, 2026. Final standings should be verified on NBA.com or ESPN after that date. Teams seeded 7-10 in each conference compete in a play-in tournament, while the top six qualify directly for the playoffs.

Background

As of March 28, 2026, the Hornets are 39-34 and 9th in the Eastern Conference. Despite starting the season 4–14 through late November 2025, the Hornets made a mid-season turnaround, recording a nine-game winning streak between January and February 2026. The Eastern Conference playoff race remains competitive, with multiple teams clustered near the play-in cutoff.

Considerations

The Hornets have eleven games remaining in the regular season, including matchups against the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons. Charlotte's final seed will depend on both its own remaining performance and results of teams directly above and below it in the standings.