Game ID: 22400790
Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks
Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 7:30 PM ET
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
ATL 33 25 23 27 108ORL 21 38 31 24 114
ATL vs ORL ScoutingATL vs ORL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
ATL availability going into 2/07 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 7 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Capela missed 5 since 1/28, out tonight
OUT Gueye missed 3 since 2/01, returns tonight: 23 min (142% of 16)
OUT Roddy missed 3 since 2/01, not on tonight's roster
OUT Bufkin missed 26 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 6 since 1/27, out tonight
ATL availability going into 2/08 · back-to-backOUT Johnson missed 8 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Capela missed 6 since 1/28, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 27 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 7 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Gueye back 2/07 after 3, 23 min since (142% of 16)
ATL availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 9 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Capela missed 7 since 1/28, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 28 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 8 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Gueye back 2/07 after 3, 23 min since (142% of 16)
ATL availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 10 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Capela missed 8 since 1/28, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 2 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 29 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 9 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 12 min (115% of 11)
BACK Gueye back 2/07 after 3, 19 min since (117% of 16)
NEW Krejčí 20 to 26 min over the last 5
ATL availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restOUT Johnson missed 11 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Capela missed 9 since 1/28, returns tonight: 18 min (86% of 21)
OUT Mathews missed 3 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 3 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 30 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 10 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Gueye back 2/07 after 3, 18 min since (111% of 16)
BACK Barlow back 2/12 after 2, 12 min since (115% of 11)
NEW Niang 23 to 28 min over the last 3
ATL availability going into 2/23 · 2 days' restOUT Johnson missed 12 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Krejčí missed 2 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 4 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 4 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 31 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 11 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Capela back 2/20 after 9, 18 min since (86% of 21)
BACK Gueye back 2/07 after 3, 17 min since (106% of 16)
BACK Barlow back 2/12 after 2, 10 min since (90% of 11)
ATL availability going into 2/24 · back-to-backOUT Johnson missed 13 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Krejčí missed 3 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 5 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 5 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 32 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 12 since 1/27, out tonight
BACK Capela back 2/20 after 9, 18 min since (85% of 21)
BACK Barlow back 2/12 after 2, 10 min since (90% of 11)
NEW Niang 23 to 29 min over the last 5
ATL availability going into 2/26 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 14 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Krejčí missed 4 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 6 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 6 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Bufkin missed 33 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 13 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 2 since 2/23, out tonight
BACK Capela back 2/20 after 9, 18 min since (86% of 21)
NEW Niang 23 to 29 min over the last 5
ATL availability going into 2/28 · 1 day's restOUT Johnson missed 15 since 1/25, out tonight
OUT Krejčí missed 5 since 2/12, out tonight
OUT Mathews missed 7 since 2/08, out tonight
OUT Wallace missed 7 since 2/08, returns tonight: 2 min (12% of 16)
OUT Bufkin missed 34 since 12/11, out tonight
OUT Plowden missed 14 since 1/27, out tonight
OUT Barlow missed 3 since 2/23, returns tonight: 2 min (19% of 11)
BACK Capela back 2/20 after 9, 18 min since (84% of 21)
NEW Niang 23 to 29 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/06 · back-to-backBACK Bitadze back 1/27 after 6, 20 min since (100% of 20)
BACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 7 min since (51% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 6 min since (44% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 24 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/08 · 1 day's restBACK Harris back 1/30 after 13, 15 min since (97% of 15)
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 5 min since (36% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 1/30 after 2, 6 min since (48% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 25 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/10 · 1 day's restOUT Joseph missed 2 since 2/06, out tonight
BACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 14)
BACK Houstan back 2/05 after 2, 7 min since (55% of 13)
NEW Anthony 18 to 24 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/12 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 10 min (73% of 14)
OUT Joseph missed 3 since 2/06, returns tonight: 3 min (19% of 13)
OUT Houstan missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 12 min (90% of 13)
OUT Howard missed 2 since 2/08, returns tonight: 26 min (222% of 12)
ORL availability going into 2/20 · 7 days' restBACK Queen back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (68% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/05 after 5, 4 min since (28% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 2/05 after 2, 9 min since (66% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 26 min since (222% of 12)
ORL availability going into 2/21 · back-to-backBACK Queen back 2/12 after 2, 10 min since (73% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/12 after 3, 3 min since (19% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 2/12 after 2, 12 min since (90% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 26 min since (222% of 12)
NEW Anthony 18 to 23 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/23 · 1 day's restOUT Queen missed 2 since 2/20, returns tonight: 6 min (43% of 14)
OUT Joseph missed 2 since 2/20, returns tonight: 6 min (45% of 13)
OUT Houstan missed 2 since 2/20, returns tonight: 10 min (74% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 19 min since (164% of 12)
NEW Anthony 18 to 25 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/25 · 1 day's restBACK Queen back 2/12 after 2, 8 min since (58% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/12 after 3, 4 min since (32% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 2/12 after 2, 11 min since (82% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 16 min since (138% of 12)
NEW Anthony 18 to 25 min over the last 5
ORL availability going into 2/27 · 1 day's restBACK Queen back 2/12 after 2, 8 min since (54% of 14)
BACK Joseph back 2/12 after 3, 4 min since (32% of 13)
BACK Houstan back 2/12 after 2, 9 min since (70% of 13)
BACK Howard back 2/12 after 2, 16 min since (138% of 12)
NEW Anthony 18 to 26 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 125 a night and allowing 120, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Young at 30 and Okongwu at 16 a game. Without Johnson (11 straight), Capela (9 straight), Mathews (3 straight). 7 days' rest. Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wagner at 26 and Banchero at 23 a game. 7 days' rest.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 106 a night to Atlanta's 120. Call it Atlanta 115, Orlando 111, Orlando keeping it close.
2/07 vs MIL 115-110 — ATL notes
ATL won 115-110. ATL shot 49% (45 of 92) to MIL's 43%, 13 of 36 from three, and went to the line 18 times to MIL's 10 — 12 points from the stripe to their 9. Young led with 24 (9 of 22, 2 of 8 from three); Daniels added 15, Gueye 15. The hinge was Q3, 37-17: ATL came in trailing by 18 and left it ahead by 2. ATL trailed 55-73 at the half and won the second half 60-37. Nance Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
2/08 @ WAS 125-111 — ATL notes
ATL won 125-111. ATL shot 48% (47 of 97) to WAS's 44%, 18 of 44 from three. ATL turned it over 11 times to WAS's 17. The glass went 41-53 against them. Young led with 35 (13 of 26, 5 of 14 from three); Risacher added 18, Niang 16. The hinge was Q3, 41-25: a lead of 5 became 21. Young was the night's best plus/minus at +36.
2/10 @ ORL 112-106 — ATL notes
ATL won 112-106. ATL shot 49% (38 of 77) to ORL's 47%, 12 of 32 from three. Young led with 19 (6 of 17, 1 of 8 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); LeVert added 18, Mann 12. The hinge was Q3, 33-25: ATL came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 1. ATL trailed 50-57 at the half and won the second half 62-49. Risacher was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
2/12 @ NYK 148-149 — ATL notes
ATL lost 148-149 in 1 overtime. ATL took 16 more shots (110 to 94), fed by 19 offensive rebounds, but shot 50% to NYK's 57%, 14 of 38 from three. ATL turned it over 12 times to NYK's 17. Young led with 38 (11 of 29, 4 of 11 from three, 12 of 14 at the line); Daniels added 23, Okongwu 21. Q3 was theirs, 41-36, the deficit cut from 8 to 3, but the other 4 periods went 113-107 against them. Gueye's -19 in 16 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/20 vs ORL 108-114 — ATL notes
ATL lost 108-114. ATL took 15 more shots (100 to 85), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to ORL's 48%, 11 of 35 from three, and got to the line 28 times to ORL's 38. Young led with 38 (13 of 28, 4 of 13 from three, 8 of 10 at the line); LeVert added 13, Okongwu 11. Q1 was theirs, 33-21, but the other 3 periods went 93-75 against them. They led by as many as 19. LeVert's -8 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/23 vs DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 118, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 25 free throws a game; Young at 31 and LeVert at 15 a game. Without Johnson (12 straight), Krejčí (2 straight), Mathews (4 straight). 2 days' rest. Detroit comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 105, shooting 50 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Cunningham at 23 and Beasley at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 14 a night. Without Harper Jr. (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Detroit wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Detroit has been plus-14 a night and Atlanta plus-1 and the defense, Detroit allowing 105 a night to Atlanta's 118. Call it Detroit 118, Atlanta 115, Atlanta keeping it close.
2/24 vs MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 127 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 29 free throws a game; Young at 34 and Niang at 16 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Johnson (13 straight), Krejčí (3 straight), Mathews (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 113, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 22 free throws a game; Herro at 30 and Adebayo at 23 a game. Without Highsmith (3 straight), Jaquez Jr. (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Atlanta wins, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 39 percent from three to Miami's 30 and the defense, Miami allowing 113 a night to Atlanta's 126. Call it Atlanta 118, Miami 115, Miami keeping it close.
2/26 @ MIA — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Miami comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 28 from three, 24 free throws a game; Herro at 27 and Adebayo at 21 a game. Without Highsmith (4 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 121, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 28 free throws a game; Young at 29 and Daniels at 15 a game. Without Johnson (14 straight), Krejčí (4 straight), Mathews (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Miami wins, and the game turns on the arc, Atlanta at 36 percent from three to Miami's 28 and the defense, Miami allowing 112 a night to Atlanta's 121. Call it Miami 115, Atlanta 114, Atlanta keeping it close.
2/28 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Atlanta comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 126, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 26 free throws a game; Young at 28 and Daniels at 17 a game. Without Johnson (15 straight), Krejčí (5 straight), Mathews (7 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 120, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 24 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, OKC allowing 120 a night to Atlanta's 126. Call it OKC 121, Atlanta 117, Atlanta keeping it close.
2/06 @ DEN 90-112 — ORL notes
ORL lost 90-112. ORL shot 37% (31 of 84) to DEN's 53%, 5 of 31 from three, and went to the line 30 times to DEN's 21 — 23 points from the stripe to their 12. ORL turned it over 13 times to DEN's 18. The glass went 40-52 against them. Carter Jr. led with 19 (7 of 9, 1 of 3 from three); Banchero added 18, Wagner 14. Q4 was theirs, 23-20, the deficit cut from 25 to 22, but the other 3 periods went 92-67 against them. Carter Jr.'s -25 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/08 vs SAS 112-111 — ORL notes
ORL won 112-111. ORL shot 51% (45 of 88) to SAS's 53%, 10 of 30 from three. The glass went 45-34 for them. Wagner led with 33 (14 of 28, 2 of 7 from three, 3 of 6 at the line); Black added 20, Banchero 17. The hinge was Q4, 31-23: ORL came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 1. ORL trailed 57-60 at the half and won the second half 55-51. Black was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
2/10 vs ATL 106-112 — ORL notes
ORL lost 106-112. ORL shot 47% (37 of 78) to ATL's 49%, 12 of 30 from three. Wagner led with 37 (15 of 29, 3 of 8 from three); Banchero added 31. Q2 was theirs, 35-25, turning a 3-point deficit into a 7-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 87-71 against them. Banchero's -19 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
2/12 vs CHA 102-86 — ORL notes
ORL won 102-86. ORL shot 41% (37 of 90) to CHA's 40%, 14 of 43 from three. Banchero led with 24 (8 of 20, 4 of 9 from three); Black added 18, Wagner 16. The hinge was Q3, 33-19: ORL came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 12, and the lead reached 21. ORL trailed 44-46 at the half and won the second half 58-40. Carter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
2/20 @ ATL 114-108 — ORL notes
ORL won 114-108. ORL shot 48% (41 of 85) to ATL's 39%, 6 of 25 from three, and went to the line 38 times to ATL's 28 — 26 points from the stripe to their 19. Banchero led with 36 (11 of 25, 3 of 10 from three, 11 of 16 at the line); Wagner added 25, Anthony 17. The hinge was Q2, 38-25: ORL came in trailing by 12 and left it ahead by 1. Banchero was the night's best plus/minus at +10.
2/21 vs MEM — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 30 from three, 26 free throws a game; Banchero at 25 and Wagner at 25 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Memphis comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 120, shooting 46 percent and 39 from three, 28 free throws a game; Bane at 22 and Morant at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Memphis wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 106 a night to Memphis's 120 and the arc, Memphis at 39 percent from three to Orlando's 30. Call it Memphis 113, Orlando 112, Orlando keeping it close.
2/23 vs WAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Wagner at 27 and Banchero at 26 a game. One day's rest. Washington comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 117 a night and allowing 126, shooting 46 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; Poole at 27 and Kispert at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. Without Jones (3 straight), Martin (3 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, and the game turns on the defense, Orlando allowing 104 a night to Washington's 126 and the turnovers, Washington giving it away 15 times a game to Orlando's 12. Call it Orlando 116, Washington 108.
2/25 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 100, shooting 44 percent and 32 from three, 27 free throws a game; Banchero at 26 and Wagner at 25 a game. One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 108, shooting 50 percent and 36 from three, 23 free throws a game; Mitchell at 26 and Mobley at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 13 a night. One day's rest.
So: Cleveland wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Cleveland has been plus-13 a night and Orlando plus-3 and the defense, Orlando allowing 100 a night to Cleveland's 108. Call it Cleveland 113, Orlando 109, Orlando keeping it close.
2/27 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 102, shooting 42 percent and 28 from three, 25 free throws a game; Banchero at 25 and Wagner at 22 a game. One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 102, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 20 free throws a game; Curry at 23 and Butler III at 16 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Kuminga (24 straight). One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, Golden State at 34 percent from three to Orlando's 28 and the line, where Orlando takes 25 free throws a game to Golden State's 20. Call it Golden State 109, Orlando 106, Orlando keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
ORLAB A. Black
CA C. Anthony
FW F. Wagner
GB G. Bitadze
GH G. Harris
JI J. Isaac
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
PB P. Banchero
TD T. da Silva
WC W. Carter Jr.
ATLCC C. Capela
CL C. LeVert
DB D. Barlow
DD D. Daniels
GN G. Niang
MG M. Gueye
OO O. Okongwu
TM T. Mann
TY T. Young
ZR Z. Risacher
ORL/ATL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Paolo Banchero scores 36 points as Magic rally past Hawks 114-108
ATLANTA -- — Paolo Banchero had 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as the Orlando Magic rallied from an early 19-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Hawks 114-108 on Thursday night.
Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Cole Anthony had 17 for the Magic, who are seventh in the Eastern Conference — two spots ahead of the Hawks.
Banchero now has 47 games with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, the third most by a player before his 23rd birthday behind LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo .
Trae Young scored 38 points for the Hawks, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher had his first double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Magic overcame a poor shooting night from 3-point range, connecting on just 6 of 25 (24%).
The Hawks led 40-21 early in the second quarter, but the Magic took a one-point lead into halftime after outscoring Atlanta 38-18 the rest of the period. Banchero had 18 points during that stretch.
Takeaways Magic: The Magic shot 33% in the first quarter, but turned that around with a 71% second quarter.
Hawks: The Hawks' defense in the final three quarters was not good enough. Atlanta will hope to improve on that while playing nine of its next 11 games at home.
Key moment Back-to-back 3-pointers by Anthony and Banchero with under three minutes left gave the Magic a 109-103 lead, and they held on from there.
Key stat Dyson Daniels’ three steals gave him 152 for the season, which is more than last season’s steal leaders De’Aaron Fox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (150) and is the most of any player since the 2018-19 season. The Hawks have 26 games left.
Up next The Magic kick off a seven-game homestand Friday against Memphis. The Hawks host Detroit on Sunday.