Atlanta Hawks fans barely had the opportunity to get acquainted with Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded to the team in a three-way deal last summer. Unfortunately, Porzingis played only 17 games before the Hawks traded him to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. In exchange, Atlanta received forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.
As the NBA trade deadline approached, the Hawks continued to shake up their roster. They also dealt shooting guard Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick. These transactions are expected to bring new dynamics to the team, which is gearing up to host the Utah Jazz later Thursday.
With fresh faces joining the roster, the Hawks are looking to push beyond the play-in position in the standings. As they enter tonight’s game, they lag five games behind the Toronto Raptors for a guaranteed playoff spot. Atlanta recently snapped a two-game losing streak with an impressive 127-115 win against the Miami Heat. Jalen Johnson played a pivotal role, recording 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season.
“Jalen just continues to find, within the rhythm of the game, opportunities to get off the ball to be the open guy, and when he needs to be more aggressive and go to the basket,” remarked Atlanta coach Quin Snyder. He emphasized that Johnson’s ability to confidently take catch-and-shoot threes is creating space for both him and his teammates.
On the other side, the Utah Jazz are coming off a morale-boosting victory, having ended a six-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Pacers, scoring 131-122. Despite playing with just seven available players, each member of the team contributed in double figures, showcasing their depth and teamwork even in challenging circumstances. Notably, Isaiah Collier played all 48 minutes and achieved a career-high 22 assists, marking the most assists in the NBA this season and the highest for a Jazz player since the iconic John Stockton in 1992.
“This kind of performance speaks to Isaiah’s poise and maturity as a point guard,” noted Utah coach Will Hardy. The Jazz rookie Ace Bailey, who hails from the Atlanta suburbs and was named Mr. Georgia Basketball in 2024, will also return to his hometown for this matchup.
As the Hawks prepare to face the Jazz for the final time this season—having won the last three meetings between the two teams—it sets the stage for an exciting encounter filled with new talent and a chance to gain momentum as the playoff picture unfolds.