ORLANDO, Fla. -- In a stunning display of talent and teamwork, the Orlando Magic triumphed over the Atlanta Hawks with a decisive 120-95 victory in the first game of the NBA play-in tournament on Tuesday night. Cole Anthony, coming off the bench, led the charge with an impressive 26 points and six assists, showcasing his ability to change the game from the sidelines.
Paolo Banchero also had a standout performance, nearly achieving a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Wendell Carter Jr. contributed significantly as well, adding 19 points and seven rebounds to the Magic's impressive tally. Meanwhile, Anthony Black shone brightly with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-7 shooting from the field, proving to be a crucial asset off the bench in this pivotal matchup.
The Magic, who finished the regular season with a 41-41 record, secured the Eastern Conference's seventh seed and are now set to face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs starting Sunday, April 20, 2025. Coach Jamahl Mosley expressed his excitement about the upcoming challenge, stating, "It's a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league, and they're the champs still until somebody beats 'em. What they present is a lot of challenges, and we have to try to find a way to figure that out."
In stark contrast, the Hawks struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game. Trae Young, who led Atlanta with 28 points and six assists, faced an unfortunate end to his night as he was ejected with 4:47 remaining in the contest after receiving two technical fouls. His frustration boiled over during the game, particularly when he rifled a chest pass at referee James Williams, followed by deflecting the ball with his foot, which resulted in his ejection. "Sometimes when I take my frustration out on the refs, it's not just for me," Young explained. "It's for my teammates. I see Dyson Daniels going; he may not be a household name yet, but he deserves the same amount of respect as some of these other guys. If you see a foul, you should call a foul. That's pretty much all it was for me."
The Hawks, who have utilized the play-in route to reach the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, will now have to regroup quickly as they prepare to compete at home on Friday, April 18, 2025, for a chance at the eighth playoff spot against the winner of Wednesday night's game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat.
In the first quarter, the Magic quickly established dominance, leading by as much as 22 points late in the first half. The Hawks, however, managed to cut the deficit to just three points at one stage, but a critical turnover with 2:36 left in the third quarter halted their momentum. "They went on their own run, and we weathered the storm. We didn't let them back in the game from that point on," Anthony said. "We got stops, we pushed the pace, and we held a really good offensive team to 90 points."
Notably, the Hawks' struggles were compounded by their poor performance in the final six minutes of the first quarter, during which they managed to score only two points. Coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the Magic's effective game plan, saying, "I thought we did a good job on Paolo and Franz [Wagner], and they had some other players who really stepped up and made plays."
As the Magic prepare for their clash with the Celtics, they look to build on their successful play-in performance. They split their four games against Boston during the regular season, but the Celtics rested their top six players in a loss against the Magic just last week. This upcoming playoff series promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their mettle.
With the energy and excitement surrounding the Magic's first playoff appearance in years, fans are hopeful that this young team, led by the likes of Anthony, Banchero, and Black, can make a significant impact in the postseason. The Magic's ability to control the pace of the game and execute their defensive strategies will be key as they face the formidable Celtics in Boston.
As the NBA playoffs loom, the anticipation builds not just for the Magic but also for the Hawks, who will need to recalibrate and come back strong in their next outing. The stakes are high, and the intensity will only increase as teams vie for their place in the postseason.
The Magic's victory over the Hawks serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of playoff basketball and the importance of teamwork and resilience. With the playoffs officially underway, fans can expect thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments as the journey to the NBA Championship continues.
