ATLANTA, GA — The Atlanta Hawks stormed back from a 16-point halftime deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic 118-112 and take a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Jonathan Kuminga scored 21 points — his highest total since December 21 — while C.J. McCollum added 20 points and 5 assists. Atlanta erased a rough first half with a dominant turnaround after the break.
Orlando controlled the opening two quarters, taking a 65-49 halftime lead behind 57% shooting and 7-of-13 accuracy from three-point range. The Magic also dominated the boards 29-11 in the first half while the Hawks committed 15 fouls.
Atlanta regrouped in the locker room and flipped the momentum in the third, outscoring Orlando 34-25 to cut the deficit to 90-83 entering the fourth. The Hawks eventually grabbed the lead midway through the final frame.
Kuminga threw down a dunk late to give Atlanta a 111-107 advantage before Jalen Suggs answered with a dunk of his own. The Hawks responded with a basket and two free throws to extend the lead to 115-109 with 25 seconds remaining.
The Magic made one last push when Wendell Carter Jr. buried a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 115-112, but Orlando was forced to foul and Atlanta sealed the game at the line.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Anthony Black added 16 points and 6 assists. Franz Wagner, who scored 27 in Game 1, was limited to 12 points.
The series now shifts to Orlando, where the Hawks will carry a 2-0 lead into Games 3 and 4 at Kia Center.
