Atlanta is 2-0 and sits first in the standings. Five games in eight days start tonight in the home opener against a Rockets team that is also 2-0, and Houston hosts the rematch Monday.
Houston gets two cracks
The Hawks play the Rockets tonight at home, then travel to Houston on Monday, Oct. 26. Both teams enter 2-0, and both come in with a day of rest. Houston went 52-30 last year and outscored opponents by 5.4 per 100 possessions, so this is the best opponent on the week's list. Atlanta's 46-36 included a plus-2.2 mark. Houston's top end is Kevin Durant at 26.0 points a game, plus Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. The Rockets list Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet as out. Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart are day-to-day.
A lineup built to travel
The McCollum, Alexander-Walker, Okongwu, Johnson and Daniels group outscored opponents by 20.3 per 100 possessions across 391 minutes last season. It starts Atlanta's rotation again. Against Charlotte, Alexander-Walker was plus-43 in 27 minutes and Daniels was plus-32 with seven steals. Jalen Johnson had 19 points, eight assists and three steals. Atlanta's bench scored 61, led by Aaron Wiggins with 19 on 7-of-9 shooting. Out for Atlanta are Mouhamed Gueye, with a return estimated for Nov. 20, and Henri Veesaar, who is out until July 2027. Locked On Hawks reported Jock Landale is available despite a nasal fracture.
Then the soft part of the week
After Houston comes Miami at home on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 29, a game on NBA TV. The week closes Saturday, Oct. 31 at New Orleans. That is a quick turn of three games in four days, so the depth that took the floor at Charlotte matters. Zuby Ejiofor made his debut there, and Locked On Hawks noted Corey Kispert was the first player outside the top nine to play this season. Kispert scored 11 in 10 minutes. A 128-81 win in Charlotte, which Locked On Hawks called a franchise record margin, gives the starters a long weekend of rest to carry into Houston.
When do the Hawks play the Rockets this week?
The Hawks host Houston tonight, Oct. 24, in the home opener, and visit the Rockets on Monday, Oct. 26. Both teams are 2-0.
Who is out for the Hawks and Rockets?
Atlanta is without Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar. Houston lists Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet as out, with Reed Sheppard and Marcus Smart day-to-day.
