Paolo Banchero comes up big for the Magic despite small numbers in a play-in win over Hawks

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Orlando's Paolo Banchero did not have a good game statistically in his first Play-In Tournament. Yet in the first quarter Tuesday night, the Magic's 22-year-old power forward showed he can dominate a game without making a shot.

“It was a fun game, a big-time game, a unique type of challenge,” said Banchero after Orlando beat the Atlanta Hawks 120-95. “I was interested to see how they were going to try to guard me. You could tell in the first quarter I was trying to get my teammates involved, moving the ball, and those guys got going. They carried us throughout the game.”

With the victory, the Magic earned the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed and will start their first-round playoff series at Boston on Sunday.

The statistical honors in Tuesday's win over Atlanta went to the Magic's Cole Anthony, who scored 26 points, and Anthony Black, who added 16. Anthony and Black finished with plus-minus differentials of 32 and 34, respectively.

'When I saw that they were doubling up and trapping, I knew that guys were going to get open looks," said Banchero, who finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a plus-18.

Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley saw Banchero contribute in other ways.

“They were loading up on him, and he was trying to find the right passes, and trying to get after it defensively,” Mosley said. “I think there’s little pieces of the game that go unseen, but because of how teams were playing him, he was able to make the right plays at the right time.”

Especially in the first quarter. Banchero led the Magic to a 32-17 advantage without making a shot. In the first 12 minutes, he had five rebounds and five assists and made 7 of 8 free throws.

“What carried me tonight was getting to the free throw line," Banchero said. "I was able to knock down most of my free throws, which kept me in rhythm even though I didn’t have a good night shooting.”

Banchero's first field goal came with 3:19 left in the first half and it gave the Magic their biggest lead of the game at 57-35. He finished 4 for 13 from the floor, missed all three of his 3-point shots, and was 9 for 11 from the line.

In three regular-season games against Atlanta, Banchero scored more than 30 points in each and shot 46%. The Hawks took the ball out of his hands Tuesday night, but Banchero knew where to send it.

“Anthony Black, Cole (Anthony) obviously ... everyone came in and made plays and made my job easier,” he said.

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Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero celebrates after making a shot and drawing a foul during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, is fouled by Atlanta Hawks guard Caris LeVert, left, as he goes up for a shot during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives around Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci, left, during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) blocks a shot attempt by Atlanta Hawks guard Terance Mann (14) during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) celebrates after teammate forward Franz Wagner made a shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) and Atlanta Hawks forward Dominick Barlow (0) go after a rebound during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, right, is defended by Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The announcement was made Friday by the U.S. military. The Trump administration has been targeting sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela.

The pre-dawn action was carried out by U.S. Marines and Navy, taking part in the monthslong buildup of forces in the Caribbean, according to U.S. Southern Command, which declared “there is no safe haven for criminals” as it announced the seizure of the vessel called the Olina.

Navy officials couldn’t immediately provide details about whether the Coast Guard was part of the force that took control of the vessel as has been the case in the previous seizures. A spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard said there was no immediate comment on the seizure.

The Olina is the fifth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to control the distribution of Venezuela’s oil products globally following the U.S. ouster of President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid.

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FILE - President Donald Trump dances as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)