The NBA Play-In Tournament delivered big performances and decisive outcomes on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as the Orlando Magic and Golden State Warriors secured the No. 7 seeds in their respective conferences. Here's how both games unfolded:
Cole Anthony Leads Orlando Magic Past Hawks to Clinch East’s No. 7 Seed
Magic Record: 41-41 | Hawks Record: 40-42
Cole Anthony came off the bench and exploded for 26 points and 6 assists, guiding the
Orlando Magic to a dominant 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Play-In. Orlando came out firing with a 32-point first quarter and sealed the win with a 41-point fourth.
Magic Key Performers:
- Cole Anthony – 26 PTS, 6 AST (Off the bench)
- Wendell Carter Jr. – 19 PTS, 7 REB
- Paolo Banchero – 17 PTS, 9 REB, 7 AST
- Anthony Black – 16 PTS on 6-of-7 shooting
Hawks Highlights:
- Trae Young –
28 PTS, 6 AST before being ejected late in the 4th quarter
Orlando secures the No. 7 seed and advances to face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, starting Sunday. Atlanta, meanwhile, will host the winner of Bulls vs. Heat for a final shot at the No. 8 seed.
Warriors Edge Grizzlies Behind Jimmy Butler’s 38 to Lock in West’s 7-Seed
Final Score: Golden State Warriors 121, Memphis Grizzlies 116
Warriors Record: 48-34 | Grizzlies Record: 48-34
Jimmy Butler delivered a clutch 38-point performance, while Stephen Curry added 37 points, as the Golden State Warriors held off the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in a tightly contested Play-In showdown.
Golden State built an early lead with 31 first-quarter points, but had to fend off a late Grizzlies rally led by Desmond Bane and Ja Morant.
Warriors Key Performers:
- Jimmy Butler – 38 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST
- Stephen Curry – 37 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST (2 clutch 3-pointers in final minutes)
Grizzlies Highlights:
- Desmond Bane – 30 PTS, 6 REB
- Ja Morant – 22 PTS, including a gritty 3-point play after injuring his ankle
- Zach Edey – 14 PTS, 17 REB
The Warriors move on to face the No. 2 seed Houston Rockets in a first-round playoff series beginning Sunday. The Grizzlies will host the loser of Mavericks vs. Kings for a second chance at earning the No. 8 seed.
What’s Next in the NBA Playoffs:
Clinched Matchups:
- (2) Celtics vs (7) Magic
- (2) Rockets vs (7) Warriors
Upcoming Play-In Games:
- East: Hawks vs Bulls/Heat winner (Friday)
- West: Grizzlies vs Mavericks/Kings loser (Friday)
