Cole Anthony Shines in Magic's Victory

In a thrilling Play-In Tournament opener, the Orlando Magic crushed the Atlanta Hawks with a convincing 120-95 victory on Tuesday night in Orlando. Cole Anthony emerged as the star off the bench, pouring in 26 points and dishing out 6 assists to lead his team to triumph.

Magic’s Rising Stars Make Their Mark

Joining Anthony in the spotlight, Paolo Banchero showcased his all-around game with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. contributed a solid 19 points and 7 rebounds. Additionally, rookie Anthony Black dazzled off the bench with 16 points, shooting an impressive 6-of-7.

Magic’s Playoff Journey Begins

With this victory, the Magic secured the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference following a balanced 41-41 regular season. They will face the Boston Celtics in their first-round playoff series on Sunday, a matchup that promises to be electric as Orlando looks to challenge the defending champions.

A Showdown Against the Champs

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley expressed excitement about the upcoming challenge: "This is a fantastic opportunity to play against the best team in the league. They’re the champs until someone beats them. We have to tackle the challenges they present and find our game plan."

Hawks’ Struggles in Crunch Time

On the Hawks' side, Trae Young led the team with 28 points and 6 assists but found himself ejected late in the game after receiving two technical fouls. Hawks coach Quin Snyder noted, "We did a good job on Paolo and Franz, but other players really stepped up for them."

Next Steps for the Hawks

The Hawks, who have struggled to find consistency, will seek redemption on Friday against the winner of the upcoming Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game for the final playoff spot.

Turning Points in the Game

Despite a brief rally that brought the Hawks within three points, their comeback attempts faltered as Anthony and the Magic maintained control, pushing back vigorously and limiting the Hawks to just two points in the final minutes of the first quarter.

Victory is Sweet for Orlando

Leading the charge, Anthony, who faced a challenging season with injuries, shot 10-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. "We weathered their storm and held a potent offensive team to just 90 points," he remarked after the game. The Magic's stellar performance sets them up for an exciting playoff run.