In a thrilling showdown in the first game of the Play-In Tournament, the Orlando Magic secured a dominant 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Rising star Cole Anthony lit up the court with a stellar performance off the bench, tallying 26 points and six assists to lead the Magic to a resounding win. Accompanying Anthony's standout display, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. made significant contributions with 17 and 19 points respectively, showcasing the depth and firepower of the Magic's roster.
With this impressive win, the Magic clinched the Eastern Conference's seventh seed and are now set to face the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated first-round playoff series starting on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Hawks, led by Trae Young's 28 points before his ejection, will look to bounce back as they aim to secure the eighth spot in a do-or-die matchup against either the Bulls or the Heat. The electrifying performances and intense competition in this playoff atmosphere set the stage for an exciting postseason journey for both teams, promising high-stakes matchups and thrilling basketball action ahead.