The Charlotte Hornets face a critical road test Friday night, battling the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament for the right to claim the No. 8 seed. However, their quest for the playoffs may have to proceed without a key contributor in the frontcourt.

Center Moussa Diabate headlines the Hornets' injury report, listed as questionable with left hip soreness. The issue seemed to flare up late in Charlotte's dramatic overtime victory over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, a win that kept their season alive. Diabate's potential absence would be a significant blow to the Hornets' interior defense and energy.

If Diabate is sidelined, look for a committee approach to fill the void. Ryan Kalkbrenner, Grant Williams, and Xavier Tillman could all see expanded roles against a physical Magic squad. The Hornets will also continue to be without PJ Hall, who has been ruled out for the season following ankle surgery.

Coming off an emotional, season-saving win, the Hornets now face the daunting task of winning on the road to secure a first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons. Every adjustment and contribution will be magnified in this win-or-go-home atmosphere.

Tip-off for this high-stakes Play-In clash is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. Can the Hornets overcome adversity and snap their playoff drought, or will the Magic defend their home court and advance?