Magic's Impressive Playoff Debut!

In a thrilling start to the Play-In Tournament, the Orlando Magic showcased their strength with a resounding 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in Orlando. Cole Anthony led the charge off the bench with a stunning performance, contributing 26 points and six assists that left fans buzzing.

Stars Shine Bright!

Paolo Banchero was a force for the Magic, adding 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. complemented the effort with 19 points and seven rebounds. Rookie sensation Anthony Black made a splash too, scoring 16 points on an outstanding 6-of-7 shooting, marking a memorable first appearance for the Magic in a Play-In game.

Setting the Stage for Playoff Battles!

Having secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 41-41 regular season record, the Magic are now gearing up to take on the powerhouse Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs this Sunday. The stakes are high—Orlando managed to split their four encounters with the reigning champions this season, although the Celtics rested key players in a recent matchup.

Coach's Confidence!

"It’s a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league, and they’re still the champs until someone takes them down," stated Magic coach Jamahl Mosley, highlighting the challenges ahead.

Hawks' Hard-Luck Night!

Trae Young was the standout for the Hawks, scoring 28 points and dishing out six assists, but his night ended abruptly with two technical fouls leading to an ejection with just under five minutes remaining. Hawks coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the defensive effort against key players but noted that other Magic players stepped up.

Next Steps for the Hawks!

The Hawks, who have navigated the play-in route to the playoffs in two of the past three seasons, are now preparing to face off at home on Friday night for the eighth playoff spot against the winner of the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game.

Magic's Dominance!

Orlando's offense clicked into high gear, particularly in the first half where they stretched the lead to as much as 22 points. Despite the Hawks narrowing the gap to just three at one point, the Magic held their ground, with Anthony declaring, "We didn’t let them back in the game from that point on. We got stops, pushed the pace, and kept a solid offensive team to just 90 points."

A Comeback for Anthony!

Once limited by injuries this season with an average of only 9.4 points, Anthony found his rhythm, hitting 10-of-17 shots, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. His return to form could be pivotal for the Magic as they head into the playoffs.