The Orlando Magic are officially headed to the NBA playoffs. Behind a 26-point performance from Cole Anthony and a smothering team defensive effort, the Magic defeated the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 on Tuesday night in the first Eastern Conference play-in game.
With the win, Orlando clinched the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup with the reigning champion Boston Celtics.
“It’s a great opportunity to play against the best team in the league,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “They’re the champs still until somebody beats ’em. What they present is a lot of challenges, and we have to try to find a way to figure that out.”
The Magic took control early and never let go. They built a 22-point lead in the first half behind Anthony’s shot-making and Wendell Carter Jr.’s two-way impact, who finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore stud Anthony Black also gave the Magic a major boost off the bench, scoring 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and helping stabilize the second unit with aggressive defense and a reliable option to attack downhill.
Cole Anthony Provides A Spark
WHAT A SEQUENCE, COLE ANTHONY 😤 pic.twitter.com/LoQBR0dxJQ
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 16, 2025
While Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner struggled to find rhythm at times, Anthony — who averaged just 9.4 points during an up-and-down season — provided the difference.
“They went on their own run and we weathered the storm,” Anthony said. “We didn’t let them back in the game from that point on. We got stops, we pushed the pace, and we held a really good offensive team to 95 points.”
Anthony shot 10-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-9 from three, and dished out six assists. He emphasized the importance of having the chance to contribute in such an important game.
“It meant a lot,” Anthony said. “It was a big game. I was just happy to make the rotation. I didn’t know Mose was going to rock with me tonight. But this was just an awesome game to be a part of.”
Mosley praised Anthony’s resilience throughout a challenging season.
“He plays fearlessly and that’s how we need him to continue to play,” Mosley said. “His resiliency, his toughness, his spark that he gives this team off the bench — it’s what we need.”
The Magic built a 56-34 lead late in the second quarter, suffocating the Hawks defensively and winning nearly every loose-ball battle. Atlanta trimmed the deficit to just three late in the third quarter, but Orlando responded with a quick run that reestablished control.
Banchero added 17 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Wagner added 13 points and 13 rebounds, but the two shot a combined 10-of-28 from the floor and missed eight 3-pointers. Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in 19 points and seven rebounds.
A transition lob from Anthony to Black sparked the crowd and sealed momentum for good.
“The group came together on the court when they went on the run,” Mosley said. “Our ability to not let that rattle us and then dig in on the defensive end and get out and get some easy baskets — that created the momentum.”
Frustration Boils Over For Hawks
Trae Young’s ejection from last night for trolling the refspic.twitter.com/IU6GNZOKTa
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 16, 2025
Trae Young led the Hawks with 28 points and six assists but was ejected with 4:47 remaining after throwing a hard pass at referee James Williams and then delaying the free throw sequence by kicking the ball before it reached an official.
“He received his second unsportsmanlike technical foul for kicking the ball away and making a mockery of the game,” Williams said postgame. “By rule, when the player receives two unsportsmanlike fouls, he’s ejected.”
Young took accountability afterward and said his actions stemmed from frustration with officiating and a motivation to stand up for teammates.
“I told the team I was sticking up for the squad,” Young said. “I’m not gonna let the refs frustrate me like that in our next game. I know we gotta win or go home next game and I’m gonna be ready.”
The Hawks were whistled for 18 fouls compared to 25 for the Magic. Young specifically referenced teammate Dyson Daniels being on the wrong end of what he believed were missed calls.
“It’s not just for me — it’s for my teammates,” Young said. “Dyson Daniels may not be a household name yet, but he deserves the same respect. If you see a foul, call a foul.”
Head coach Quin Snyder said Young addressed the team postgame and “owned” his behavior.
“He’s quick to own that,” Snyder said. “But the game was out of hand at that point. Again, this is playoff basketball. There’s going to be adversity, and we have to continue to handle it in a way that can power through.”
What’s Next?
Orlando will take on the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in Game one of their first-round playoff series on Sunday. The Magic finished the regular-season series 2-1, although Boston rested its core players in the most recent meeting on April 9.
Banchero downplayed any tension ahead of facing his offseason workout partner, Jayson Tatum.
“I think the best way for me to show my respect is to give him my best effort and go at him as much as I can,” Banchero said. “I’m excited for the matchup and just excited to be in the playoffs in general.”
The Hawks will host the winner of Wednesday’s Chicago Bulls versus Miami Heat matchup on Friday to determine the eighth seed in the East. The winner will face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
