Keaton Wallace delivered a stunning triple-double performance with 15 points, 15 assists, and 11 rebounds, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 117-105 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon at State Farm Arena.
Play-In Preview: Hawks and Magic Set for Tuesday Showdown
The two Eastern Conference teams will meet again on Tuesday in Orlando for the NBA Play-In Tournament, with the seventh seed and a first-round playoff matchup against the Boston Celtics on the line. With the regular season now wrapped, Orlando finishes at 41-41, while Atlanta ends at 40-42. The two sides split their four meetings this season.
Wallace, Mann, and Toppin Shine in Reserve Showcase
In a game where both squads rested their primary starters, the spotlight shifted to bench players—and they delivered. Wallace, who made his NBA debut earlier this season after spending four years primarily in the G League, orchestrated the offense flawlessly en route to his first career triple-double.
Terance Mann led Atlanta with 19 points, while Jacob Toppin added a career-high 17, including five shots from beyond the arc. The Hawks shot 53.4% from the field, outpacing the Magic’s 45.5%.
Magic Bench Fights Back, But Hawks Hold Strong
Anthony Black led Orlando with 20 points, and Jett Howard contributed 16 off the bench. The Magic mounted a comeback late in the first half, fueled by a barrage of three-pointers from Gary Harris and Tristan da Silva, closing the gap after falling behind by double digits.
Despite the run, Atlanta regained momentum with strong plays from Dominick Barlow, including a fast-break dunk off a full-court pass by Wallace. Garrison Mathews added a four-point play before halftime to give Atlanta a 58-46 lead at the break.
Mathews also had a gritty moment earlier in the game, suffering a bloody nose while drawing a charge—yet refusing to leave the court.
History on Atlanta’s Side in Play-In Format
No seventh seed has ever failed to advance from the Play-In Tournament, and the Hawks are making their fourth consecutive appearance, the most of any team since the format was introduced.
The rematch on Tuesday promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both teams expected to return their full lineups in a win-or-go-home battle for playoff positioning.
Key Takeaways:
- Keaton Wallace posts first NBA triple-double
- Atlanta ends regular season with a strong win over Orlando
- Teams face off again Tuesday for playoff berth vs. Celtics
- Hawks lead Play-In appearances with four since format's launch
