Key Atlanta Hawks stars sidelined as they face the Raptors. Can the shorthanded squad overcome Toronto's recent struggles and extend their winning streak?
The Atlanta Hawks will again be short-handed Saturday night, ruling out Kristaps Porziņģis and Trae Young for the opener of a two-game set against the Toronto Raptors.
Porziņģis, who recently returned from a 10-game absence due to an unspecified illness, is out as part of return-to-competition reconditioning. The center appeared off the bench in Atlanta’s last two games, playing 17 minutes in each as the team eased him back into action. He is averaging 17.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.
Young will miss his fourth consecutive game with a right quad contusion. The All-Star guard had only been back since Dec. 18 after missing 22 games with a sprained right knee. He is averaging 19.3 points and 8.9 assists per game.
Atlanta will also be without guard Luke Kennard, who remains sidelined with back soreness. Kennard is averaging 7.2 points and 2.1 rebounds.
Despite the absences, the Hawks arrive in Toronto with momentum. Atlanta is completing a back-to-back after a 111–99 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night, its second straight victory following a seven-game losing streak.
Jalen Johnson led the way against New York with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, recording his seventh triple-double of the season. Atlanta led by as many as 26 points, shooting 47.7% from the field while holding the Knicks to 37.1%.
“We’re defending at a high level,” Johnson said. “So I think if we can sustain that, we’ll give ourselves a chance every single game.”
The Raptors enter Saturday’s game after a 106–103 home loss to the Denver Nuggets, a contest in which Toronto shot 37% from the field, matching its season low. Forward Scottie Barnes recorded 20 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for his eighth career triple-double.
“When things are going right, things are going right,” Barnes said. “I’m trying to be more intentional on rebounding, pushing the ball in fastbreak.”
Barnes also pointed to the return of RJ Barrett, who has played in two of the last three games after missing 15 with a sprained right knee.
“It’s great having RJ back out there,” Barnes said. “He gets me some free assists with how he runs the floor and his shot-making.”
Toronto coach Darko Rajaković said Barnes continues to expand his all-around impact.
“I think for Scottie, every night he definitely has an opportunity for double-doubles,” Rajaković said. “Points and rebounds should always be there. Assists are the hard part.”
The Raptors remain without center Jakob Poeltl, who is sidelined with a strained lower back. Toronto is 2–1 on a five-game homestand that concludes with the pair of games against Atlanta.
Saturday’s matchup opens the final half of the four-game season series. Toronto won the first two meetings in Atlanta and has taken four straight games against the Hawks dating back to last season.