Associated Press
Apr 15, 2025, 10:28 PM ET
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Cole Anthony came off the Magic's bench with 26 points and six assists to lead Orlando to a 120-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night in the first game of the NBA play-in tournament.
Paolo Banchero had 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Magic, and Wendell Carter Jr. added 19 points and seven rebounds. Anthony Black, who also came off the bench, scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in the Magic's first appearance in a play-in game.
Earning the Eastern Conference's seventh seed after a 41-41 regular season, the Magic will play in a first-round playoff series against the Celtics starting Sunday at Boston.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists before getting two technical fouls and an automatic ejection with 4:47 left in the contest.
The Hawks, who have reached the playoffs through the play-in route in two of the past three campaigns, will compete at home Friday night for a chance at the eighth playoff spot against the winner of Wednesday night's tilt at Chicago between the Bulls and the Miami Heat.
Georges Niang scored 15 points for the Hawks, and Onyeka Okongwu added 11 points and nine rebounds.
Banchero and Black produced most of the offense, and the Hawks scored just two points in the final six minutes of the first quarter.
Anthony, who averaged 9.4 points during an injury-plagued season, made 10 of 17 shots including 4 of 9 3-pointers.
