NBA Play-In Tournament Preview: Key Players and Predictions

ATLANTA, Ga. — The 2025 NBA postseason kicks off with the Play-In Tournament, featuring crucial matchups between the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds from both the Eastern and Western Conferences. On Tuesday, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, who averaged 28.3 points and eight assists per game against the Orlando Magic this season, will lead his team against Orlando, which requires a win to secure the No. 8 seed.

The stakes are high: the winner of the Hawks-Magic game will advance to face the Boston Celtics in the first round, while the loser will play the winner of Wednesday’s game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls for one last shot at the playoffs.

The regular-season series between the Hawks and Magic was closely contested, ending in a 2-2 tie. Atlanta is known for its high-paced offense, ranking third in the league, while Orlando averages fewer points but plays a more physical style. The Magic’s offense relies heavily on young forwards Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, who scored together over 61 points per game against Atlanta.

“The grindier this gets, the more it favors Orlando, and vice versa,” noted an NBA analyst. Key to the matchup will be how the Magic manage Trae Young, who is proficient in high-pressure situations.

“Young excels on big stages,” said Hawks coach Nate McMillan. “He knows how to elevate his game when it matters most.” This season, Young is averaging 24.2 points and 11.6 assists overall, with those numbers rising significantly against the Magic.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors will host the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors, behind their star Steph Curry, will go up against star guard Ja Morant. Curry’s impressive performance after a mid-season addition has reinvigorated Golden State, propelling them to a better record post-trade.

“I’m feeling really good about our chances,” Curry stated. “We’ve got momentum and experience on our side.”

This matchup presents a contrast of styles as well, with Morant known for explosive playmaking and scoring, and Curry continuing to prove why he is one of the league’s best shooters. The Warriors have had success against the Grizzlies this season, winning three of the four matchups.

“Memphis needs to step up their game,” said an NBA insider. “They’ve had a rough trajectory lately, losing six of their last ten games.”

Predictions for both games favor Orlando and Golden State. The latest performance trends indicate that while the Hawks have found success historically in Play-In scenarios, Orlando comes into the game with more urgency after a higher performance finish to the regular season. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ consistency, buoyed by recent victories, points to a likely win against Memphis, who have struggled against California teams.

As the Play-In Tournament begins, excitement is palpable, as several teams eye the chance to secure a playoff spot amidst fierce competition and strategic matchups.