The Atlanta Hawks, while not participating in the Christmas Day games, are gearing up to face the Miami Heat tomorrow evening as they seek to end a challenging four-game losing streak. This matchup marks the first encounter this season between the two divisional rivals, and the Hawks have received some positive updates regarding their injury report ahead of the game.
Dyson Daniels, who missed the Hawks’ previous game against Chicago, has been cleared to return and is expected to be on the court against Miami. However, the team is still evaluating Mouhamed Gueye, who is listed as questionable due to a right shoulder sprain. Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis will be unavailable due to an illness, adding to the challenges the team faces at the center position. With Porzingis sidelined indefinitely and N’Faly Dante out for the season with an injury, the Hawks have signed center Malik Williams to a two-way contract. He may see his first action for Atlanta against the Heat.
Williams brings notable stats from his time with the College Park Skyhawks in the NBA G League, where he has excelled, averaging a career-high 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks over 14 games this season. His performance during the Tip-Off Tournament was particularly impressive, with averages of 16.1 points and 10.7 rebounds, placing him among a select group of players in the league with similar double-digit averages.
Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, Williams has also had a brief stint in the NBA, appearing in seven games this season with the Toronto Raptors, where he averaged 2.7 points and 5.4 rebounds. As he makes his transition to the Hawks, the team looks forward to the boost his performance could provide, especially during this critical stretch of the season.
Despite the current struggles, the Hawks remain hopeful, as a win against the Heat would not only snap their losing streak but also help improve their position in the standings, where they are closely contesting with Miami. A renewed energy and potential contributions from both Daniels and Williams could prove pivotal as Atlanta aims to rally in the coming games.