The 2025 NBA Playoffs officially tipped off Tuesday night with a doubleheader in the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, and several Grind Session alumni were in the spotlight as their teams fought to keep their championship dreams alive.
Orlando Magic Dominate Hawks Behind Banchero and Carter Jr.
The first game of the night saw the Orlando Magic roll past the Atlanta Hawks 120-95 at the Kia Center in Orlando. The Magic’s duo of Paulo Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr., both Grind Session alumni, led the way in the convincing win.
Carter Jr., a former standout at Pace Academy on the Grind Session circuit, posted an efficient 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists, showing his veteran presence in the paint. Meanwhile, Banchero returned to the postseason spotlight after missing 34 games due to injury this season. The BFL Prep product looked fully back in rhythm, stuffing the stat sheet with 17 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal, and a block.
Banchero’s path from BFL Prep to the 2021 Grind Session Championship Game, where his team fell to TyTy Washington and AZ Compass, set the tone for a stellar journey through Duke University and into the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
On the opposing side, Mouhamed Gueye of the Hawks made his presence felt in the loss. The second-year forward, who spent two years with Prolific Prep on the Grind Session before heading to Washington State, was a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, finishing with 12 points and 2 free throws in 25 minutes of action.
With the win, the Magic now advance to face the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics on Sunday, April 20th at 3:30 PM EST at TD Garden. The Hawks will get one more chance to keep their season alive when they face the winner of tonight’s Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat matchup.
Warriors Hold Off Grizzlies in High-Scoring Thriller
In the nightcap, the Golden State Warriors defended home court at the Chase Center, outlasting the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 in a back-and-forth affair. The game was highlighted by vintage performances from Jimmy Butler (38 points) and Steph Curry (37 points, including six three-pointers).
Grind Session alumni Jonathan Kuminga, who starred for The Patrick School on the Grind Session before becoming a top prospect with the NBA G League Ignite, was inactive for the game due to a coach’s decision. Despite his absence, Kuminga remains a key piece for Golden State as they move deeper into the postseason.
With the win, the Warriors move on to a highly anticipated matchup against the Houston Rockets, the No. 2 seed in the West, on Sunday, April 20th at 9:30 PM EST in Houston. That game will feature more Grind Session talent, with the Rockets boasting Jalen Green and Nate Williams, both former Prolific Prep stars.
Grind Session Legacy Runs Through the NBA Playoffs
From rising stars like Banchero and Green to playoff veterans like Carter Jr., the Grind Session continues to be a launching pad for future NBA talent. With more postseason action ahead, fans can expect to see even more alumni leave their mark on the biggest stage in professional basketball.
