The Orlando Magic are headed to the NBA Playoffs for the first time since 2020, claiming the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed with a dominant 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in the opening game of the Play-In Tournament.
Cole Anthony came off the bench and delivered a season-best performance, pouring in 26 points and dishing out six assists to lead a balanced Magic attack. The third-year guard, who averaged just 9.4 points during an injury-riddled regular season, hit 10 of his 17 shots, including four 3-pointers, and was the spark Orlando needed in its first-ever play-in appearance.
The Magic, who finished the regular season at 41-41, will now face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in a best-of-seven first-round series beginning Sunday. Orlando split the season series with the defending champions, though Boston rested its top six players in the most recent matchup—a 113-98 Magic win.
Paolo Banchero, the 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year, showed his all-around game with 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven boards, while rookie guard Anthony Black gave the Magic a huge boost off the bench with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
“We were aggressive, we were together, and we played with confidence,” Banchero said after the game. “This is what we’ve been building toward.”
The Hawks, led by Trae Young’s 28 points and six assists, struggled to keep pace despite making a third-quarter push. Young was ejected with 4:47 remaining in the game after picking up two technical fouls. Atlanta trailed by as many as 22 in the first half but managed to cut the deficit to three late in the third quarter before a costly turnover shifted momentum back to the Magic.
From there, Orlando poured it on. The Hawks managed only two points in the final six minutes of the opening quarter and never fully recovered. The Magic’s energy and defensive intensity overwhelmed Atlanta, who now face a do-or-die game Friday night at home against the winner of Wednesday’s showdown between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.
This marked the third time in four years Atlanta has been involved in the Play-In Tournament, but the urgency and execution favored a young and hungry Magic squad.
For Orlando, the night was about more than just a win—it was a statement.
“This group is learning how to win when it matters,” said head coach Jamahl Mosley. “And tonight, they showed they’re ready for the moment.”
With their first playoff series in four years set against a championship favorite, the Magic will have little time to celebrate. But on Tuesday night, they looked every bit like a team that belongs.
