Finally, it's opening night.
After the NBA began the 2026-27 season with three action-packed matchups between some of the league's best squads, nearly everyone else gets to suit up the day after. Among those teams, of course, is the Atlanta Hawks.
Not only did the Hawks enjoy a semi-breakout season in their last campaign, one of their core pieces did, as well. Nickeil Alexander-Walker - the 28-year-old guard who arrived in Atlanta via sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves - earned Most Improved Player honors after his stellar first season with the Hawks.
While he tore up most of the league, he had a clear favorite to play against. To his luck, that same opponent is who his team is facing on opening night.
NAW's dominance is just one of many storylines in Hawks-Magic
Atlanta swept Orlando last season.
Their dominance against their division rival wasn't quiet. The Hawks won all four of their in-season meetings. Orlando didn't ever have much of an answer, especially to their undeniable Alexander-Walker problem.
NAW averaged 28 points per game against the Magic last season, along with three rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals on over 56% from the field and 47% from deep. Unreal numbers.
In their third matchup of the year - one that saw both teams entering the night on impressive winning-streaks - Alexander-Walker dropped a career-high 41 points. He had seven rebounds and five assists, making nine of his 14 attempts from deep, leading his team to a statement victory.
They met one more time before the conclusion of the regular season. In this one, he recorded an efficient 32-bomb, and of course, played a huge part in Atlanta completing their in-season sweep of their division rival.
While he should still have a great opening night performance against his favorite opponent, nothing is a guarantee, as the Magic do look different from how they were constructed last year.
Their biggest change wasn't a traditional one...
It's not the roster that looks different. In fact, they had very little offseason movement among that group.
Their marquee alteration of the summer was swapping former coach Jamahl Mosley for former San Antonio assistant Sean Sweeney.
It could take a solid minute for them to bring it all together, but it looks to be an impressive hire. Maybe he'll send a unique defensive assignment at Alexander-Walker, forcing him into more uncomfortable looks than before.
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