The Hawks play their first home game of the season Saturday against the Houston Rockets, coming off a 128-81 win in Charlotte. Locked On Hawks' Brad Rowland reported that margin as a franchise record.
A Record Rout in Charlotte
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds, and Aaron Wiggins matched the 19 off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting. Dyson Daniels piled up seven steals in 24 minutes. Rowland counted 17 steals and 27 forced turnovers for the night. The Hawks led by as many as 49, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished a plus-43 in 27 minutes.
Houston Arrives Unbeaten
The Rockets are 2-0 under Ime Udoka and won 52 games last season. Kevin Durant averaged 26.0 points a game for them, Alperen Sengun 20.4 and Amen Thompson 18.3. Reed Sheppard is out with a left knee injury. The teams meet again Monday, Oct. 26, in Houston, so this is a two-game test.
Can the Short Bench Hold
Rowland noted that none of the two-way players were active in Charlotte, leaving the bench thin at guard. Corey Kispert was the first player outside the top nine to see the floor this season, and Zuby Ejiofor made his debut late. Houston is a much sterner opponent than a Hornets team missing Kon Knueppel and Coby White. The open question is whether nine real rotation players can carry two games in three days.
When do the Hawks play the Rockets?
Atlanta hosts Houston on Saturday, Oct. 24, and plays at Houston on Monday, Oct. 26. The Saturday game is the Hawks' first home game of the season.
Is Reed Sheppard playing against the Hawks?
No. Sheppard is listed as out with a left knee injury ahead of the Oct. 24 game.
