Peachtree Hoops
The place to read about/discuss the Atlanta Hawks.
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PTH Roundtable: final record predictions
In the final Peachtree Hoops roundtable, staff weigh in on the Atlanta Hawks' 2026‑27 outlook. Wes predicts a defensively‑leaning 43‑39 record, landing the 7th seed and a play‑in berth. Garrett is more optimistic, forecasting 48‑34 and a top‑six finish without the play‑in. Graham and Malik both settle on about 47 wins, seeing the Hawks finish 6th in a deeper Eastern Conference. The consensus acknowledges improved competition and the need for Jalen Johnson’s offensive leap, but most expect Atlanta to secure a second straight playoff appearance.
Hawks struggle shooting against the Rockets
In their first home game of the 2026-27 season, the Atlanta Hawks fell to the Houston Rockets despite a strong backcourt effort. The Hawks shot a dismal 13‑for‑49 (26.5%) from three‑point range, while Jalen Johnson led with 26 points. Houston capitalized on the mismatch, hitting 40% from deep and relying on Kevin Durant’s 22 points and Alperen Şengün’s 17 and 10 rebounds. Both teams entered 2‑0, and the Hawks will meet the Rockets again on Oct. 26.
Hawks can’t keep up with Rockets in home opener, lose 121-114
In their home opener, the Atlanta Hawks fall 121-114 to the Houston Rockets despite a strong fourth‑quarter push. Jalen Johnson leads with 26 points, nine rebounds and 16 assists, while Nickeil Alexander‑Walker adds 18 points and three early threes. Dyson Daniels contributes a late 3‑pointer and 18 points with eight boards. The Rockets, unbeaten at 2-0 and missing Fred VanVleet, maintain a double‑digit edge throughout, extending the lead to 20 points in the third before sealing the win. The Hawks return to face Houston again on Monday.
Rockets at Hawks: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread
The Atlanta Hawks open their home slate against the Houston Rockets on October 24, 2026, at State Farm Arena, kickoff 8:30 PM EDT. The Hawks’ starting five features CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Fans can tune in via Peachtree TV (WPCH) or Atlanta News First (WANF), listen on Sports Radio 92.9 the Game, or stream on Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out‑of‑market) and YouTube TV. A photo from the Oct 21 Magic‑Hawks game caps the preview.
Hawks showcase defensive potential in franchise-record win at Hornets
The Atlanta Hawks blast the Charlotte Hornets 128-81 on Oct. 23, setting a franchise‑record 48‑point margin. Jalen Johnson and Aaron Wiggins each drop 19 points as seven Hawks reach double‑figures, while Dyson Daniels fuels the defense with seven steals, including four in the third quarter. Atlanta forces 27 turnovers (17 steals) and logs 37 assists, holding Charlotte to just 81 points despite Naz Reid’s 17. Coach Quin Snyder praises the defensive intensity over the scoreline, noting the team’s emerging identity. The win maintains the Hawks’ unbeaten start to the 2026‑27 season and previews their next matchup against the Houston Rockets.
Hawks’ defense shines, defeat Hornets 128-81
The Atlanta Hawks dominate the Charlotte Hornets 128‑81 on Oct. 23, 2026, showcasing a suffocating defense that held Charlotte to just 19 points in the third quarter. Jalen Johnson leads with 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, while Aaron Wiggins matches his 19‑point night and Dyson Daniels adds 11 points and nine rebounds. Bench contributors Zuby Ejiofor and Kingston Fleming each hit their first career three‑pointers. The Hawks build a 68‑43 halftime lead and never look back, capitalizing on the Hornets' injuries to Kon Knuppel and Coby White. The victory follows both teams’ season‑opening wins and highlights Atlanta’s depth and defensive intensity.
Hawks at Hornets: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread
The Atlanta Hawks aim to stay unbeaten as they travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Oct. 23, 2026, at 7 PM EDT in the Spectrum Center. With Kon Knueppel out, the Hawks will start CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Fans can watch on Peachtree TV (WPCH) or Atlanta News First, listen on Sports Radio 92.9, and stream via Amazon Prime, NBA League Pass (out‑of‑market) or YouTube TV. Join the live thread for updates.
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: Corey Kispert
Corey Kispert, acquired in the Trae Young trade, heads into his second year with the Atlanta Hawks as a potential end‑of‑bench spark plug. After 39 games last season—where his minutes dwindled due to defensive lapses—Kispert says a full offseason and training camp have boosted his confidence. He showed improved perimeter shooting and occasional drives in preseason, but faces stiff competition from newcomers Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins, limiting his playing time. Coach Quin Snyder may only insert Kispert during foul trouble or injuries, though his reputation as one of the team's better three‑point shooters could earn him a bigger role if he steadies on defense. The preview weighs his offensive upside against lingering defensive concerns as the 2026‑27 season begins.
PTH Roundtable: your boldest take?
In the fourth Peachtree Hoops roundtable, staff predict bold outcomes for the Atlanta Hawks in 2026‑27. Wes forecasts rookie guard Kingston Flemings will crack the All‑Rookie First Team and earn a starting spot. Malik bets the Hawks will clinch a top‑2 Eastern Conference seed, citing a stronger core and key additions. Garrett expects Atlanta to rank in the league’s top five defensively and sees Jalen Johnson entering the MVP top five. Graham goes further, claiming the Hawks will become the NBA’s best defensive team if Johnson fully commits to lockdown play.
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: Kingston Flemings
The Atlanta Hawks use the 8th overall pick from a 2025 draft trade with New Orleans to select Houston point guard Kingston Flemings. A former five‑star recruit, Flemings averaged 16.1 points, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals at Houston, highlighted by a 42‑point freshman record game and a 38% three‑point rate. Compared to a young De’Aaron Fox, he offers playmaking and scrappy defense, qualities the Hawks need after Trae Young’s exit. The piece argues Flemings could become the Hawks’ floor general, facilitating stars like CJ McCollum, Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, while carving a niche as a facilitator rather than a pure scorer.
Hawks defeat Magic 132–125 behind timely shooting in season opener
The Atlanta Hawks snap their season opener with a 132–125 road win over the Orlando Magic on Oct. 21, 2026. After a sluggish start and second‑half foul trouble for Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker ignited the offense with back‑to‑back three‑pointers in the fourth quarter, while CJ McCollum also hit key perimeter shots. Five Hawks starters, except Onyeka Okongwu, scored in double figures, and the team capped a 12‑point first‑half lead by holding Orlando scoreless for over three minutes. The victory fuels Atlanta’s road trip as they head to Charlotte next.
Hawks at Magic, Valkyries at Dream: start times, TV, streaming, radio, combined thread
The Atlanta Hawks open their season against the Orlando Magic at 7 PM EDT in Orlando, with a lineup featuring CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Simultaneously, the Atlanta Dream host the Golden State Valkyries for the first WNBA finals game in 13 years at 8 PM EDT in Atlanta, starting Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon and Angel Reese. Both games air locally (Peachtree TV for the Hawks, NBC/USA for the Dream) and stream on Amazon Prime and Peacock, respectively.
Join us for the 2026-27 Hawks season on the SB Nation app
Peachtree Hoops reminds fans that the new SB Nation app, launched two months ago, now offers a real‑time game chat for NBA games, faster comment loading, and integrated community feeds. Available on iOS and Android in North America (with Europe on the way), the app lets users comment, post, and follow live reactions to plays like crossovers and alley‑oops during Hawks games, including the upcoming 2026‑27 season. The post highlights record‑setting comment activity and encourages fans to download the app for a richer, ad‑lighter experience.
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: CJ McCollum
CJ McCollum emerges as the Atlanta Hawks' cornerstone for the 2026‑27 season after a pivotal trade in January. In his first half‑season, his shot‑creation helped Atlanta clinch the No. 6 seed with the league’s best net rating in the latter half, but the playoffs exposed a need for additional playmakers—a gap the offseason acquisitions aim to fill. At 35, McCollum remains the team’s primary ball‑handler, averaging under 30 minutes in 41 games last year, and has embraced a stronger defensive role under Coach Quin Snyder. He’ll also mentor rookie Kingston Fleming while sharing late‑game duties with Dort if needed.
PTH Roundtable: debating the best lineups
In the latest Peachtree Hoops roundtable, staff debate the Atlanta Hawks' ideal opening and closing lineups for the 2026‑27 season. Wes favors a defense‑first start with Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu, then switches CJ McCollum in as a scoring closer. Garrett and Graham both support starting CJ McCollum alongside Daniels, Alexander‑Walker, Johnson and Okongwu, but differ on whether to keep Daniels or replace him with Dort in the second unit. All agree the core trio of Okongwu, Johnson and Alexander‑Walker will be non‑negotiable, with McCollum likely anchoring the clutch five.
Dream reestablish identity for first franchise WNBA Finals win
Angel Reese leads the Atlanta Dream to their first franchise WNBA Finals title with a 79-65 victory over the Golden State Valkyries on Oct. 19, 2026. After a slow start and foul trouble in the first half, the Dream erupts in the second quarter, tightening defense to hold Golden State to 23% shooting and taking a 39-37 lead. Reese scores 30 points, 15 in the half, while Jordin Canada nails a 32‑foot buzzer‑beater. Atlanta extends the lead to 21 points in the fourth quarter, never looking back. Reese credits returning to the team’s identity and relentless effort for the historic win.
PTH Roundtable: who will break out?
In the latest Peachtree Hoops roundtable, staff all point to Atlanta Hawks swingman Aaron Wiggins as the season's breakout candidate. Wes and Garrett praise his bench role, defensive upside and fit in Quin Snyder’s offense, noting his 48% corner‑three shooting and potential as a reliable sixth man. Graham adds that Wiggins could become a key three‑point option alongside Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander‑Walker and CJ McCollum, while also mentioning the untapped growth of Mo Gueye and second‑year guard Asa Newell as intriguing sideshows. The consensus: Wiggins has the best chance to shine and maybe chase another Hawks Most Improved Player award.
Onsi Saleh’s tax comments reinforce the Hawks’ patient approach
Hawks president Onsi Saleh said Atlanta has full authority to pay the luxury tax when the right opportunity arises, underscoring the team’s commitment to financial flexibility. Speaking on SiriusXM, Saleh explained the difference between the tax and the NBA’s apron thresholds, noting that crossing the second apron would strip tools like the mid‑level exception. He cited the recent Thunder trade—acquiring Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins—that kept Oklahoma City below the second apron, illustrating how disciplined roster moves can create buying chances. Saleh stresses that a tax‑paying move will only come if it fits the Hawks’ plan to build around Jalen Johnson and deepen postseason runs.
PTH Roundtable: biggest impact from a new player?
This is the first of a series of roundtable questions I’m asking the staff here at Peachtree Hoops about the Hawks this upcoming season. The first question: which newly acquired player will have the biggest impact for the Hawks this season? Wes: I think Luguentz Dort will bring a level of toughness, defensive versatility, and an […]
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: Lugentz Dort
The Atlanta Hawks made several additions to their team during the offseason, but there was none bigger than acquiring Lu Dort. After lacking consistent depth in the wing department last season, the Hawks made an effort to improve that area, and Dort ended up being a big key in improving the roster. Coming from a […]
Hawks at Mavs, preseason: start time, TV, streaming, radio, game thread
The Hawks travel to Dallas to conclude their preseason schedule. Please join in the comments below as you follow along. Where, When, and How to Watch and Listen Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX Start Time: 8:00 PM EDT TV: Atlanta News First (WANF), Peachtree Sports Network (PSN/WPCH) Radio: Sports Radio 92.9 the Game (WZGC-FM) […]
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: Asa Newell
Asa Newell is coming into Year 2 of his career, and there’s a good chance that he’ll have a bigger role when looking at the frontcourt. In his rookie season, Newell was fighting for minutes with players such as Mouhamed Gueye and Jonathan Kuminga, but with the former currently rehabbing from injury and the latter […]
Atlanta Hawks 2026-27 player preview: Zuby Ejiofor
Zuby Ejiofor enters his rookie season with an opportunity to turn his energy and versatility into meaningful minutes for the Atlanta Hawks. Frontcourt injuries have created an opening. Henri Veesaar is expected to miss the entire season after tearing his right ACL, while Mouhamed Gueye is recovering from a fractured left foot. Their absences leave […]
2026-27 Atlanta Hawks player preview: Jalen Johnson
Editor’s note: this is the first piece from new staff writer Joey Walraven. He’ll be contributing to our site’s coverage. Please give him a warm welcome as we’re excited for him to join our team at Peachtree Hoops. Jalen Johnson was having his best year of his young career in 2024-25 before a torn labrum […]
2026-27 Atlanta Hawks player preview: Onyeka Okongwu
Onyeka Okongwu enters his seventh NBA season with his perimeter game taking shape and his long-term future in Atlanta approaching an important checkpoint. Coming off the best three-point shooting season of his career, Okongwu gives the Hawks something valuable at center: a player who can stretch the floor without sacrificing the mobility that makes him […]
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