Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 31 points and hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the final two minutes to help the visiting Atlanta Hawks defeat the Orlando Magic 132-125 on Wednesday in the season opener for both teams.
The result ruined the debut of first-year Orlando coach Sean Sweeney.
Alexander-Walker’s two treys enabled the Hawks to stretch their lead from 122-121 to five points 128-123, an advantage they never relinquished down the stretch. Walker shot 5-for-8 from 3-point range and 10-for-13 from the foul line.
Atlanta also got 20 points and five steals from Dyson Daniels, 20 points and 14 rebounds from Jalen Johnson, and 19 points from CJ McCollum.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero scored 35 points, making 10 of 12 from the floor, and added seven rebounds and 10 assists. He had words with Johnson after the game. The Magic got 22 points apiece from Wendell Carter Jr. and Franz Wagner and 18 points from Desmond Bane.
It was Atlanta’s sixth consecutive win over Orlando.
The Magic led by as many as 10 points in the first quarter and took a 33-28 advantage into the second.
The Hawks changed the momentum and enjoyed a 52-42 lead after a drive by Johnson with 5:14 left in the half. Atlanta led by as many as 13 on a McCollum 3-pointer and was up 72-62 at halftime.
Banchero scored 22 and teammate Tristan da Silva made four 3-pointers and had 12 in the opening half. Daniels led the Hawks with 16 points at the break.
Atlanta led by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, only to have Orlando catch up at the foul line. The Magic outscored the Hawks 20-7 on free throws in the period and took a 98-95 lead on back-to-back three-point plays by Goga Bitadze and Banchero. Orlando took a 100-99 edge into the final quarter.
The Hawks led by one point with 4:27 left when Johnson was called for an offensive foul, which would have been his sixth personal. Atlanta challenged the call and it was reversed after a lengthy video review, allowing the Hawks to build momentum for the closing minutes.
