Hawks coverage after two losses to Houston keeps coming back to three themes: the jumper, Lu Dort's scoring and a frontcourt short on bodies. The numbers back the shooting worry most strongly, and the frontcourt worry is real but comes partly from injuries.
The Jumper Went Missing
Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks had Atlanta at 8-33 on threes in the second Houston game and 21-82 over the last seven quarters against the Rockets. He also had the Hawks at an 88 offensive rating after halftime, 44 points on 50 possessions. Rowland noted the Hawks started that half 0-10 from deep before Alexander-Walker connected with 9:39 left. The individual splits support the alarm. Jalen Johnson is making 15.8 percent of his threes through four games while still putting up 21.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists. Daniels sits at 20.0 and Okongwu at 17.6. McCollum at 44.0 and Wiggins at 48.0 are doing the spacing.
Dort's Offense Under Scrutiny
At Soaring Down South, Brian Burrows wrote that the questions about Lu Dort's offense "were real." The numbers agree so far. Dort is averaging 8.8 points in 22.7 minutes and making 23.5 percent of his threes. Rowland did credit him with a personal 7-0 run that kept Atlanta within 91-85 after a rough third quarter. The contract raises the stakes. Dort's $18.2M is a team option and the fourth-biggest number on a $198.5M payroll that sits under the $200.4M tax line. The shooting backs up Burrows. Nothing reported so far puts that option in doubt.
A Frontcourt Running Short
Ian Kearney of Soaring Down South raised a "heavyweight frontcourt question," and the injury list explains part of it. In Rowland's Wednesday report, Henri Veesaar is out with a torn right ACL, Mouhamed Gueye is out with a foot fracture, Jock Landale is available despite a nasal fracture and Aaron Wiggins is questionable with a knee contusion. Veesaar's estimated return is 2027-07-01 and Gueye's is 2026-11-20. Rowland also reported that Zuby Ejiofor was assigned to College Park while Atlanta leans on a nine-man group. That leaves Okongwu, at 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, and Landale, at 4.5 boards in 18.3 minutes, as the bigs. Garrett Brown of Soaring Down South suggested the Thunder may regret trading with Atlanta. Wiggins' 15.8 points a night support that, if the knee holds up.
Is Aaron Wiggins playing for the Hawks against the Heat?
Wiggins is questionable with a contusion in his left knee, according to Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks. His estimated return date is October 28, the day of the Heat game.
When will Mouhamed Gueye return for the Hawks?
Gueye is out with a foot fracture, and his estimated return is November 20, 2026.
