Orlando Magic fans, get excited; opening night is finally here. 

The Magic are just hours away from hosting the Atlanta Hawks to kick off the 2026-27 season. After the team went through a preparatory shootaround Wednesday morning, coach Sean Sweeney revealed the practice's emphasis. 

The team's focus was rooted in consistency. 

Sweeney said that, first and foremost, the right habits and fundamentals were being applied that the team believes are important to each and every game. Under Sweeney, the Magic have been honing in on habits and fundamentals, and that is not changing now.

More specifically, those habits and fundamentals were applied in a way that will have them ready for what the Hawks are going to bring to the table. For Orlando, Sweeney said it is important to make sure that the team is tight and buttoned up on the things it wants to do well.

Last season, things did not go well for the Magic in their rivalry against Atlanta. 

The two teams met four times, and the Hawks took every game. The Trae Young era has been over, and while Atlanta may not have a clearly defined star on the team since his departure, it possesses a collection of good players who play fast. 

The speed at which the Hawks play is the first thing Sweeney mentioned after praising Quin Snyder for coaching them well. He knows that they will try to attack early in the shot clock, especially if everyone on the floor is a shooter. 

While the Magic have to be prepared defensively for the different types of actions Atlanta will throw at them, Sweeney knows they also have to be taking quality shots themselves.

Sweeney believes that as long as Orlando is shooting efficiently, it will be in a good position. For the Magic, it might come down to shooting more 3-pointers. 

As Sweeney believes, quality looks were manifested in those types of shots during the preseason. Overall, it is going to be a balancing act for the rookie head coach and his team. 

The Magic will have to strike a confluence of aggression with consistent creation on the offensive end, and Sweeney also wants to see the team weaponize its screening. Everything comes down to quality shots, whether it's from the perimeter, the mid-range area or the paint.

Sweeney and the Magic have remained consistent in their approach to their core practices throughout training camp and the preseason. Now, it is time to begin the true test of an 82-game slate.