The Atlanta Hawks showed their resilience and determination as they rallied from a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Orlando Magic, 125-108, on Wednesday night at Amway Center. The Hawks improved to 15-15 on the season, while the Magic fell to 11-20.
The Hawks’ star point guard Trae Young was unstoppable in the second half, scoring 21 of his game-high 31 points and dishing out seven of his nine assists. Young hit six three-pointers, including four in the fourth quarter, and also made all seven of his free throws. He was instrumental in sparking the Hawks’ comeback, as they outscored the Magic 69-37 in the final 18 minutes of the game.
Young said he was motivated by the challenge of facing the Magic’s rookie sensation Paolo Banchero, who had 31 points and six rebounds in the first half. “He’s a great player, but I wanted to show him who’s the boss,” Young said after the game. “I just had to take over and lead my team to victory.”
Paolo Banchero shines in his first matchup with Trae Young
The Magic’s power forward Paolo Banchero, who was the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, had a sensational performance in his first meeting with Trae Young, who was the No. 5 pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Banchero scored 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, and grabbed six rebounds in the first half. He also had a highlight-reel dunk over Clint Capela in the second quarter that brought the crowd to its feet.
Banchero, however, cooled off in the second half, as he was held to just four points on 2-of-6 shooting. He also committed four turnovers and fouled out with 3:14 left in the game. Banchero said he was frustrated by the Hawks’ defense and the officiating, but he also gave credit to Young for his performance. “He’s a great player, he made some tough shots and he got some calls,” Banchero said. “I learned a lot from him tonight, and I hope to get another chance to play against him soon.”
Hawks’ bench steps up in the absence of key players
The Hawks were missing several key players due to injuries and health and safety protocols, including John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter, and Danilo Gallinari. However, their bench players stepped up and provided a huge boost in the second half. Trent Forrest, who was recalled from the G League earlier in the day, scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and added four rebounds and three assists. Jarrett Culver, who was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves last week, had 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. Vit Krejci, who was also recalled from the G League, chipped in with nine points and four assists.
Hawks’ coach Nate McMillan praised his bench players for their contributions and their energy. “We don’t win this game if those guys don’t go out and contribute the way they did, along with Vit,” McMillan said. “They played with a lot of heart and a lot of passion, and they gave us a lift when we needed it.”
Magic’s losing streak continues despite Gary Harris’ return
The Magic’s losing streak extended to four games, despite the return of their veteran guard Gary Harris, who missed the previous 10 games due to a hamstring injury. Harris scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting and added four rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. He also hit four three-pointers, including one that gave the Magic a 71-56 lead in the third quarter. However, Harris tweaked his hamstring again in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. He is being evaluated and his status for the next game is uncertain.
Magic’s coach Jamahl Mosley said he was disappointed by the loss, but he also saw some positive signs from his young team. “We played well in the first half, we moved the ball, we defended, we competed,” Mosley said. “But we have to learn how to sustain that for 48 minutes, and we have to learn how to close out games. We have a lot of room for improvement, but we also have a lot of potential.”
