The Orlando Magic continued their climb toward postseason success with a thrilling 119-112 victory over the Atlanta Hawks tonight at the Kia Center in Orlando. With both teams battling for playoff positioning, the Magic rose to the challenge, delivering a performance that showcased their defensive tenacity and offensive firepower.
Paolo Banchero was unstoppable, scoring a game-high 33 points while grabbing 10 rebounds. The young star extended his streak of consecutive 20-point games to 20, cementing his place in franchise history. From smooth jumpers to powerful finishes in the paint, Banchero was the consistent force the Magic leaned on in crunch time. Franz Wagner complemented Banchero’s brilliance, contributing 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Wagner shone on both ends, as his disciplined defense disrupted Hawks’ All-Star guard, Trae Young.
The Magic’s defensive intensity was a difference-maker. They forced 18 turnovers, including a jaw-dropping 13 steals, and blocked six shots. Wendell Carter Jr. was a key defensive anchor, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, six steals, and three blocks. His hustle on the boards and ability to protect the rim prevented the Hawks from finding any rhythm late in the game. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also chipped in with 15 points, delivering key buckets when the Hawks threatened to close the gap.
Orlando started strong and took a commanding 32-20 lead in the first quarter, thrilling the home crowd. By halftime, they held a 61-48 advantage. However, the Hawks mounted a third-quarter rally, led by Onyeka Okongwu’s 30 points and Trae Young’s 28 points and 10 assists. Their push brought Atlanta within two points heading into the fourth quarter. But the Magic kept their composure, with Wagner and Banchero stepping up in the final moments to secure the win.
This victory elevates Orlando’s record to 39-40, putting them two games ahead of the Hawks in the race for the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference standings. With their “magic number” down to one, Orlando is closer than ever to clinching a spot in the Play-In Tournament.
Up next, the Magic face a tough back-to-back challenge as they host the Boston Celtics tomorrow night. With momentum on their side, this young and hungry team is ready to take the fight to one of the league’s powerhouses. Magic fans, the playoffs are within reach—don’t miss a second of this thrilling ride!
