The Hawks play in Charlotte on Friday at 1-0 and third in the East. Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell are all out for the Hornets, while Atlanta's report, posted by Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks, lists only Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar.
Charlotte's Missing Volume
Knueppel played 81 games last season and averaged 18.5 points in 31.5 minutes, so the Hornets are losing their most dependable source of shots. Brandon Miller, who scored 20.2 a night, and Naz Reid, at 13.6, are not on Charlotte's injury list. This is still a 1-0 team that went 44-38 last season with a 4.9 net rating, better than Atlanta's 2.2. Losing four players lowers that ceiling but doesn't remove it.
Speed Is Atlanta's Edge
The Hawks played at 102.5 possessions a game last season and Charlotte played at 97.6. That five-possession gap is the matchup. Atlanta scored 132 in Orlando. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 31 on 5-of-8 from deep, Jalen Johnson put up 20, 14 and 6, and Dyson Daniels had five steals, which is how a fast team gets easy points. Against a short-handed opponent, more possessions mean more chances for the deeper roster to pull away.
Two Nights in a Row
Houston visits on Oct. 24, the Hawks play the Rockets again in Houston on Oct. 26, and Miami comes in on Oct. 28. Aaron Wiggins played 32 minutes off the bench in the opener, and Soaring Down South wrote that Quin Snyder used a strict rotation. Gueye is estimated to return Nov. 20, so the frontcourt has no extra bodies. The open question is whether Snyder keeps that tight group together tonight with the Rockets arriving the next day.
Who is injured for Hawks vs. Hornets on Oct. 23?
Atlanta is without Mouhamed Gueye (left foot) and Henri Veesaar (right knee). Charlotte has Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grant Williams and Kylan Boswell out.
When do the Hawks play the Rockets?
Twice in three days: at home on Oct. 24 and in Houston on Oct. 26.
