Hawks, Pelicans Set To Collide
The Atlanta Hawks will host the New Orleans Pelicans at State Farm Arena on Sunday.

The Hawks (29-34) are on a roll of late and are moving closer to a Play-In berth in the final weeks of the regular season. Despite missing their star player, Trae Young, due to a finger injury, Atlanta has found a way to remain competitive, and the team enters this matchup on a three-game winning run. The Hawks are coming off a 99-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies the last time out, but the other two wins in that stretch have come via double digits. The Hawks will aim to keep this run going, but for that to happen, they need to play better at home, where the team has gone 16-16 so far. The recent stretch has been even more notable for the Hawks since they’re missing more players, not just Young, from their regular rotation.

Trae Young (finger), Jalen Johnson (ankle), Kobe Bufkin (toe) and Onyeka Okongwu (toe) are all out for the Hawks. Dejounte Murray (calf) and Seth Lundy (back) are questionable.

The Pelicans (38-25) are in an even better position, and they should make the playoffs in the ultra-complicated Western Conference barring an epic collapse in the final weeks of the regular season. New Orleans sits 13 games above .500 and seem to be in line to avoid the Play-In Tournament. Their recent form has been quite good as well, as their recent 103-95 win over the Philadelphia 76ers means they’ve won three in a row, and four of their last five. The star duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram is finally healthy, and the Pelicans are reaping the benefits of that. New Orleans has been particularly good when playing on the road, where they own a 20-13 mark.

Dyson Daniels (knee) is the only absence for the Pelicans.
Posted on: 3/9/2024 7:55 PM