Hawks Edge Magic 132-125 in Season Opener

Atlanta’s late three-pointers decided a tight opener that exposed Orlando’s turnover and lineup issues.

Overview

The Hawks defeated the Magic 132-125 at Kia Center on Wednesday in a back-and-forth game that featured 22 lead changes and 11 lead swaps in the fourth quarter.
Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 35 points and posted a near triple-double with seven rebounds and 10 assists, but his performance could not overcome team miscues.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 31 points for Atlanta and hit consecutive clutch three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to swing the game in the Hawks’ favor.
Orlando committed 20 turnovers that Atlanta turned into easy chances near the rim, helping the visitors finish with a 60-50 advantage in the paint and penalizing the Magic’s ball security.
Orlando played without Anthony Black and will be without Noah Penda for an extended stretch, Franz Wagner was limited by early foul trouble, and Atlanta’s bench scoring helped steady the Hawks as they closed out the win.