Cole Anthony came off the bench to deliver a stellar 26-point performance, leading the Orlando Magic to a commanding 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Tuesday night’s NBA Play-In Tournament opener.
With the win, the Magic locked in the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference and will now face the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, beginning Sunday.
Orlando Magic Clinch Playoff Spot Behind Strong Team Effort
In their first-ever Play-In Tournament appearance, the Magic showed poise and firepower from the opening tip. Cole Anthony added six assists to his game-high 26 points, while Paolo Banchero nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in 19 points and seven boards, and rookie Anthony Black impressed off the bench, shooting 6-of-7 from the field for 16 points in the win.
Orlando, which finished the regular season at 41-41, now earns its first playoff berth since 2020 and looks ahead to a tough opening-round series against the top-seeded Celtics.
Trae Young Ejected Late as Hawks Struggle to Keep Pace
Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists, but frustrations boiled over late in the fourth quarter. With just under five minutes left, Young received two technical fouls and was ejected from the game, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback.
The loss pushes Atlanta into a must-win elimination game for the No. 8 seed. The Hawks will host either the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat on Friday night, depending on the outcome of Wednesday's matchup in Chicago.
What’s Next for Orlando and Atlanta?
- ✅
Orlando Magic:
Advance to the NBA Playoffs as the No. 7 seed, set to face the Boston Celtics in the first round beginning Sunday.
- ⚠️
Atlanta Hawks:
Fall to the second round of the Play-In and will host the winner of Bulls vs. Heat on Friday to fight for the No. 8 seed.
