Hawks vs Hornets: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Mar 23, 2024

In this story:

Atlanta Hawks

Charlotte Hornets

Hawks vs Hornets

After going 1-4 on their West Coast Road trip, the Atlanta Hawks return to State Farm Arena tonight to face their division rivals, the Charlotte Hornets. Charlotte comes into this game on a three-game losing streak and they are 2-8 in their last 10 games. Both teams have a long list of injuries they are going to have to overcome if they want to get a win tonight.

While the Hornets have been one of the worst teams in the NBA this season, they are 2-0 against the Hawks this season, including a double-digit win over Atlanta right before the All-Star Break. Over the past few seasons, the Hawks have struggled against the Hornets, but hope to be able to get a win tonight.

The Hawks come into tonight’s game still in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Brooklyn Nets, but they are also down a lot of players coming into tonight. Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Saddiq Bey, Kobe Bufkin, and AJ Griffin are all out while Onyeka Okongwu is doubtful. Despite all of that, the Hawks are big favorites coming into tonight’s game, which is a stark contrast to the past few games in which they were a massive underdog.

So who wins tonight? Let’s preview the game.

Game Preview

Because they are so shorthanded, the Hawks have had to rely on Dejounte Murray to be the main source of offense with Young out and he has responded with big outputs in scoring. Murray is having to play 40+ minutes and shoot around 25 times to give this Hawks offense a chance and that is likely going to be the case tonight. The Atlanta offense will revolve around Murray and they need him to be efficient tonight.

Bogdan Bogdanovic has the potential for big games due to his shooting ability, but it has been some time since he had a large scoring output. His three-point shooting and offensive creation will be needed if Murray can’t get it going.

De’Andre Hunter started the last game and was able to play 33 minutes. Hunter had been coming off the bench for the Hawks and doing a great job of scoring and being efficient, as well as defending. Hunter is in the midst of what might be his best and most consistent stretch of basketball as a Hawk.

Vit Krejci has been a starter for the Hawks since Bey went down with a season-ending injury and he is not going to stuff the stat sheet, but he can knock down threes, drive and kick out to an open shooter, and is not a negative on defense.

With Okongwu doubtful, the center minutes will fall on Clint Capela and Bruno Fernando. Capela has six double-doubles in the last eight games and could have a big night on the board against the Hornets.

The bench will likely consist of Fernando, Trent Forrest, Garrison Matthews, and Wesley Matthews.

Brandon Miller

David Jensen/GettyImages

Coming into tonight’s game, the Hawks rank 5th in PPG, 21st in field goal percentage, 7th in three-point attempts, 18th in three-point percentage, 5th in free throw attempts, 1st in offensive rebounding, and 13th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta ranks 9th in points per 100 possessions, 19th in effective field goal percentage, 9th in turnover percentage, 5th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate.

Atlanta is not going to be facing a strong defense when they play the Hornets tonight. Charlotte is 19th in PPG allowed, 26th in field goal percentage allowed, and 23rd in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets are 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed.

Offensively, the Hornet's offense relies on rookie Brandon Miller and forward Miles Bridges. They are still without LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams, two key parts of their team. When fully healthy, Charlotte can be a problem on offense, but they have not been healthy this year. The Hornets rank 29th in PPG, 27th in field goal percentage, 18th in three-point attempts, 26th in three-point percentage, 20th in free throw attempts, 24th in offensive rebounding, and 18th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, Charlotte is 29th in points per 100 possessions, 28th in effective field goal percentage, 21st in turnover percentage, 26th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 30th in free throw rate.

What should give Hornets fans hope for a win tonight is that the Hawks are atrocious on defense. Atlanta is 29th in PPG allowed, 28th in field goal percentage allowed, and 28th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks are 27th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 30th in effective field goal percentage.

Injury Report

Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe; injury management) is doubtful. Trae Young (finger), Jalen Johnson (ankle) Kobe Bufkin (toe), AJ Griffin (leg/ankle), Mouhamed Gueye (elbow), and Saddiq Bey (knee) remain out. Okongwu recently came back after a month-long absence and played in the last two games, but it appears that the Hawks are still going to be cautious when it comes to their young center and managing his injury.

LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin, Seth Curry, Bryce McGowens, and Mark Williams are out for Charlotte.

Viewing and Betting information

Tip-off time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast,

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be favorites at home tonight, as they are currently 8.5 point favorites according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 213.5.