Occasionally, the Wizards have been able rise up with competitive efforts in recent weeks, but the bottom line is 14 straight losses. Playing competitively two games in a row has been a step too far Adam Keefe's often-overmatched side. To wit: all but three loss margins in the current skid have come by double-digit margins. The Wiz have also played a road-heavy schedule but are 0-6 at Cap One Arena, where there is no homecourt edge. Meanwhile, the Hawks are a pleasant surprise, having won seven of nine and 8 of 11 thus far on the road, where they have extended margins (most recently by 17 at New Orleans last week), and doing this without Trae Young the past three weeks. Play Hawks.
The Wizards don't defend at all based on their 132 ppg allowed. These are ripe conditions for any Hawk player to go over on assists. The Wizards are also a bad rebounding team averaging a -10 at home. The Hawks 'only' get outrebounded by 3 on the road (-6 at home) so this is also a good spot for Hawk rebounders to have a better than average game. Onyeka Okongwu plays a lot of minutes even though he is listed as Kristaps Porzingis' backup. If this is a blowout they'd presumably sit Porzingis and Okongwu would play full minutes.
Trae Young (knee) will miss his 14th straight game for the Hawks. Over the previous 13 games without him, Jalen Johnson has averaged 23.0 points. That has included him scoring at least 24 points in six of his last seven games. He’s having an efficient season, shooting 56.2% from the field, 80.0% from the charity stripe and 41.5% from three. Look for him to stay hot against the Wizards, who have the worst defensive rating in the league.
Alexander-Walker could face increased competition for minutes after Atlanta added Luguentz Dort, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.
Wilson signed a two-way deal with the Hawks on Monday, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
The Mavericks traded Nembhard (illness) to the Hawks on Sunday in exchange for Zaccharie Risacher as part of a three-team deal with the Thunder, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The Thunder traded Dort to the Hawks on Sunday in exchange for three second-round picks as part of a three-team deal with the Mavericks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Beekman registered 13 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds, 14 assists and one steal over 31 minutes in Saturday's 91-83 Las Vegas Summer League win over the Hawks.
Okpara posted 12 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and one block across 27 minutes in Saturday's 91-83 Summer League win over the Hawks.
Watkins (knee) didn't play in Saturday's 91-83 Summer League win over the Hawks.
Johnson recorded 13 points (4-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists, four rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 91-83 Summer League loss to Washington.
Dennis (Achilles) has been ruled out for Saturday's Summer League game against the Wizards, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Newell (rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's Summer League game against the Wizards, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
