Hawks and Magic Open Regular Season Matchup at Kia Center

The Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic will square off on Wednesday night at the Kia Center in Orlando to open their respective regular-season campaigns. The opening tip is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, with television coverage available on ABC and FOX, alongside regional viewing options.

Atlanta enters the new season carrying momentum from a strong finish to last year's campaign, where they won 19 of their final 24 games to finish atop the Southeastern Division with a 46-36 record. The Hawks eventually pushed the eventual champion New York Knicks to six games in the opening round of the playoffs. Last season, Atlanta swept its four-game regular-season series against Orlando, winning by an average of 15 points, and will look to extend that winning streak.

The Magic are entering a new era under head coach Sean Sweeney, who replaced Jamahl Mosley following a three-year playoff run. Orlando finished last season with a 45-37 record, fighting through the Play-In Tournament before falling to Detroit in the first round. The roster returns core talents like Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, alongside the addition of veteran center Nikola Vucevic, who signed a one-year free-agent deal to rejoin the franchise after previously playing nine seasons with the team.

Following the trade of star guard Trae Young to Washington at last season's deadline, the Hawks have placed their confidence in Jalen Johnson to anchor the team. Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists last season on his way to his first All-Star selection. "I think leadership is something the team wants to see and one I want to do," Johnson noted regarding his expanded role. He will be joined by reigning Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who averaged 20.8 points last season, alongside backcourt additions like Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins.

Orlando's roster is anchored by Paolo Banchero, who posted 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across 72 games last season, and Desmond Bane, who averaged 20.1 points while playing in all 82 games. Franz Wagner is also expected to feature significantly, though his availability remains something to watch after suffering a shoulder injury near the end of the preseason. Wagner's role shifted during the preseason under Sweeney, operating more frequently as a primary handler.

Both teams concluded their preseason schedules with 4-1 records. Atlanta defeated the Dallas Mavericks 135-111 in their final preseason tune-up behind 25 points from Alexander-Walker and 20 points and 14 rebounds from Johnson. Meanwhile, Orlando defeated the Miami Heat 136-115, led by 24 points from Banchero and 23 points from Bane.

Injury reports indicate that the Magic will be without Anthony Black, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, alongside Noah Penda and Jonathan Isaac. For the Hawks, Mo Gueye and Henri Veesaar are unavailable for the season opener.

Projected starters for Atlanta feature C.J. McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. Orlando's projected starting lineup includes Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, and Wendell Carter Jr.