Alexander-Walker scores 31 as Hawks beat Magic 132-125

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 31 points, including two threes in the final two minutes, to lead the Atlanta Hawks past the Orlando Magic 132-125 on Wednesday, October 21, in the season opener for both teams.

Alexander-Walker shot 8 of 15, 5 of 8 from three, and made 10 of 13 free throws in 30 minutes. Jalen Johnson set up his step-back three from 27 feet with 1:27 left and his 25-footer with 51.4 seconds left, which made it 128-123.

Johnson finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as Atlanta (1-0) won on the Magic's home floor. Orlando fell to 0-1.

Orlando led by 10 late in the first quarter, but the Hawks scored 12 straight points to go ahead 35-33. They pushed the lead to 14 early in the third quarter, at 79-65. The Magic answered with a 10-0 run to pull within 91-89, and the game stayed close.

Paolo Banchero hit a pullup jumper and a short shot in the final minutes to keep Orlando in range, and Wendell Carter Jr. finished an alley-oop dunk. After Alexander-Walker's second three, Onyeka Okongwu made two free throws and Carter scored on a layup to cut it to 130-125. Johnson sealed it with two free throws with 20.2 seconds left.

Banchero had 35 points on 10-of-12 shooting, 10 assists and seven rebounds in 41 minutes, but he also committed six of Orlando's 20 turnovers. Carter and Franz Wagner each scored 22 points.

Atlanta's bench outscored Orlando's 34-22, and the Hawks made 30 of 36 free throws. Their effective field goal percentage was 56.7, against 55.9 for the Magic.

Up next

Hawks: at the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, October 23.

Magic: vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, October 23.