ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Magic made a significant statement in their first appearance in the NBA Play-In Tournament, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 on Tuesday night. Cole Anthony came off the bench to lead the Magic with an impressive 26 points and six assists, showcasing his scoring ability that had been somewhat muted during an injury-plagued regular season where he averaged just 9.4 points.
Paolo Banchero, the standout rookie, contributed significantly with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black also had a strong performance, scoring 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The Magic's victory secured them the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season with a 41-41 record.
Now, the Magic are set to face the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday, April 20, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston. The Celtics, who are eyeing back-to-back championships, finished the regular season with a 61-31 record and are considered heavy favorites entering the series.
In the game against the Hawks, Trae Young led Atlanta with 28 points and six assists, but his night was cut short when he received two technical fouls and was ejected with 4:47 remaining in the game. The Hawks, who have relied on the Play-In Tournament to reach the playoffs in two of the last three seasons, will host a crucial matchup on Friday night, April 18, 2025, against the winner of the game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat for the eighth seed.
The Magic's victory not only marked a successful start to their postseason but also set the stage for an intriguing matchup against the Celtics. Historically, the two teams have met in the playoffs before, with their last encounter being in the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals, where the Celtics triumphed. This time, however, the Magic are a different team, led by Banchero, who averaged 25.9 points per game during the regular season, and Franz Wagner, who contributed 24.2 points per game.
Despite their recent successes against the Celtics—winning six of their last nine matchups over the past three seasons—the Magic face a daunting challenge. The Celtics have a proven playoff roster and are looking to cement their legacy as one of the best teams in NBA history. The Magic's defensive prowess will be tested against Boston's high-octane offense, which is heavily reliant on three-point shooting.
During the regular season, the Magic led the league in scoring defense, allowing only 105.5 points per game, but they ranked 23rd in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot 36.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Celtics, on the other hand, have set multiple records for three-point shooting this season, making it crucial for the Magic to tighten their perimeter defense if they hope to compete.
As the series approaches, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling playoff battle. Boston will look to capitalize on its experience, while Orlando aims to prove that they can hang with the best. The first game will be pivotal in setting the tone for the series. Tickets for the first round of the playoffs go on sale Wednesday, April 16, 2025, with a presale beginning at 10 a.m. and general sales starting at 1 p.m.
The NBA has released the full first-round schedule for the Celtics vs. Magic series:
- Game 1: Sunday, April 20, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. at TD Garden in Boston on ABC
- Game 2: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 7 p.m. at TD Garden in Boston on TNT
- Game 3: Friday, April 25, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Kia Center in Orlando on ESPN
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Kia Center in Orlando on TNT
- Game 5 (if necessary): Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston
- Game 6 (if necessary): Thursday, May 1, 2025, at Kia Center in Orlando
- Game 7 (if necessary): Saturday, May 3, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston
With both teams having distinct strengths and weaknesses, the upcoming series is set to be a captivating clash of styles. Can the Magic's youth and defensive tenacity challenge the Celtics' championship pedigree? The basketball world will be watching closely as this playoff series unfolds.
