The Charlotte Hornets are set to take on the Atlanta Hawks in a crucial Southeast Division matchup on February 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena. With both teams vying for playoff spots, the stakes are high in this late-season encounter.
In terms of player availability, the Hornets will be without key contributors, including Malaki Branham, Xavier Tillman, Coby White, Tosan Evbuomwan, P.J. Hall, Liam McNeeley, and Antonio Reeves, all sidelined for various reasons. However, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and Miles Bridges are expected to carry the load as the team’s main scoring options. The absence of White and Branham particularly impacts the depth in their backcourt, while Tillman’s absence curtails their frontcourt options.
On the other side, the Hawks face their own challenges with Jonathan Kuminga out due to a left knee bone bruise and pending trade discussions. Buddy Hield and Onyeka Okongwu are marked as questionable for the game due to trade implications and an injury, respectively. Should Hield be unavailable, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels will be counted on for scoring and playmaking duties.
Both teams have had a competitive season, with several matchups decided by close margins, reflecting their similar playing styles that emphasize fast-paced play and heavy three-point shooting. Historically, the Hawks lead the all-time regular-season series, but recent encounters have shown that the Hornets can pose a challenge.
Charlotte enters the game with a record of around 24-28, positioned fourth in their division, while the Hawks stand at approximately 26-27, sitting in third place within the Southeast Division. The Hornets’ offense averages 116 to 117 points per game, with Ball leading the way with approximately 6.4 assists and close to 3.7 made threes per game. Defensively, they struggle, allowing 120 to 121 points, ranking them in the lower third of the league.
In contrast, Atlanta scores around 118 to 119 points per game, driven by Johnson’s impressive averages of 20.2 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. The Hawks have also established themselves as a formidable long-range shooting team.
The matchup promises to be a fiercely competitive game, with both teams needing to step up on both ends of the court and adapt quickly to the absence of key players. Execution in the closing moments and bench depth could determine the outcome as they both continue their push for playoff positioning. Fans can expect an exciting game filled with lead changes and high-energy basketball.