ATLANTA, GA – The Orlando Magic (28-29) defeated the Atlanta Hawks (26-30) 114-108 at State Farm Arena in their first game back from the 2024-25 season All-Star Break.
Paolo Banchero led seventh-seed Orlando in overcoming a strong performance from Trae Young, who scored 38 points but shot just 3-for-13 from deep.
Orlando shot 48% from the field and had 38 free throw attempts, which played a crucial role in their victory. Meanwhile, they held Atlanta to under 40% shooting from the field and 35% from three-point range.
The Hawks built a 19-point lead in the first half, but the Magic reached into their bag and pulled out their strongest asset—grit. This team does not give up.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley and his squad turned up their defensive intensity and became more dominant on the glass. Wendell Carter Jr. was a key factor in both areas, finishing with a season-best 15 rebounds.
“That’s what got us back in it. We sat down (and guarded), got stops, and got out and ran, and I think that was the biggest key,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “That’s what we are asking these guys to do. They trusted the defense to bear down and get stops when we needed them.”
Late in the fourth quarter, the tables turned, and it was the Hawks trying to mount a comeback. Orlando had built an 11-point lead in the second half, forcing Atlanta to chase them late in the game.
After the Hawks tied the game at 103-103, Cole Anthony came through with two back-to-back clutch shots to keep Orlando ahead.
Then, Banchero sealed the win with a crucial three-pointer late in the fourth.
Banchero led the Magic with 36 points and 11 rebounds, Franz Wagner had a strong night with 25 points, and Anthony contributed 17 points.
Besides Young’s 38 points, Caris LeVert was another notable scorer for Atlanta, adding 13 points off the bench.
Orlando returns home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday at the Kia Center.
