Hawks face depleted Blazers after recent success. Key injuries, including Kristaps Porzingis, shape this crucial matchup. Who will capture the win?
The Atlanta Hawks are rounding out their four-game road trip by taking on the Portland Trail Blazers in another late-night tip for Hawks fans on the East Coast. The contest featuring the 20-22 Hawks and 19-22 Trail Blazers tips off at 10:00 P.M. EST, closing a demanding West Coast swing for Atlanta.
Atlanta lost its last contest to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, but the bigger picture remains positive. The Hawks have won three of their last four games to begin the post–Trae Young era, showing signs of stabilization despite ongoing roster adjustments and injury challenges.
It has been a successful trip out west for Atlanta. If the Hawks lose to Portland, they will finish the trip 2-2. A win, however, would move Atlanta to an impressive 14-11 record on the road this season, a notable achievement for a team hovering below .500 overall and still redefining its identity.
This game features several key names on the injury report, particularly for Portland. The Trail Blazers will be without breakout star Deni Avdija, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, and Scoot Henderson, leaving them short-handed against an Atlanta team that is beginning to settle into clearer offensive roles.
This gate has some very important names featured on the injury report. Portland will be without breakout star Deni Avdija, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, and Scoot Henderson.
Being without Avdija is especially significant. He has been Portland’s engine throughout the season, and his absence gives the Hawks a meaningful advantage. Atlanta will have its primary scoring options available in Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, both of whom have taken on expanded responsibilities during this stretch.
For the Hawks, Zaccharie Risacher will miss another game as he continues to deal with a knee injury. Kristaps Porzingis will also remain sidelined, while Luke Kennard is listed as a game-time decision. Kennard’s status looms large, as his shooting and floor spacing would be valuable against a Portland team that can struggle to defend the perimeter without its top wings.
Portland’s injury situation extends beyond Avdija. Jrue Holiday and Avdija have shared the court just once since Holiday sustained a right calf injury on Nov. 14. While Holiday returned earlier this week after a 27-game absence, the Trail Blazers’ top two players are unlikely to be together again Thursday night.
Avdija, a leading All-Star candidate, missed Tuesday’s 119-97 road loss to the Golden State Warriors with lower-back soreness and is listed as doubtful. He played in each of Portland’s first 40 games and has averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, scoring at least 20 points in 13 of his last 15 outings.
Game Prediction
Time for my game prediction for Hawks vs. Trail Blazers. In all transparency, I picked the Hawks to beat the Lakers in the first edition of this, and they lost 141-116, so not off to a great start this season.
However, this is a good bounce-back spot against the Trail Blazers, who, without Deni Avdija, I don't think pose as big a threat as Lebron James, Luka Doncic, and the rest of the Lakers squad, who shot the lights out on Tuesday.
The Trail Blazers have lost two in a row, and I predict it to be three after the Hawks reign victorious on Thursday night. Don't call it bias, Atlanta will get big performances from Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson, and have a better defensive effort against Portland.