The Atlanta Hawks will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 18 at State Farm Arena as part of the NBA's four-game MLK Day schedule.
The Atlanta Hawks will host the Philadelphia 76ers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as part of the NBA's four-game national television schedule.
Atlanta and Philadelphia will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 18, at State Farm Arena. NBC and Peacock will carry the game.
Detroit faces Cleveland at noon ET in a rematch of the 2026 Eastern Conference semifinals. Minnesota plays at New York at 5 p.m. ET. Houston finishes the day at Memphis at 7:30 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
Hawks Return to MLK Day Schedule
King was born and raised in Atlanta. The Hawks also played at home on MLK Day last season. Atlanta opened the NBA's first four-game MLK Day slate against Milwaukee at 1 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.
This year's matchup comes after the Hawks won the Southeast Division for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
Atlanta finished 46-36 after reaching the All-Star break at 26-30. The Hawks went 20-6 the rest of the way and put together an 11-game winning streak, tied for the fourth-longest in franchise history.
Atlanta also averaged a franchise-record 30.1 assists per game to lead the NBA.
The Hawks entered the playoffs as the sixth seed and took a 2-1 series lead over New York in the first round. The Knicks won the next three games to eliminate Atlanta in six before eventually winning the NBA championship.
Jalen Johnson was at the center of Atlanta's season. He averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in 72 games. He shot 48.9% from the field, 35.2% from 3-point range, and 78.8% at the free-throw line. He recorded 49 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles, made his first All-Star team in February, and was selected to the All-NBA Third Team in May.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker won Most Improved Player. Dyson Daniels made the All-Defensive Second Team one season after winning Most Improved Player himself.
Atlanta Reshapes Roster Around Johnson
The Hawks moved on from Trae Young during the season.
Atlanta traded Young to Washington on Jan. 9 for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. Young spent more than seven seasons with the Hawks and left as the franchise's all-time leader in assists and 3-pointers.
More changes followed during the offseason.
Atlanta acquired Aaron Wiggins from Oklahoma City for two future second-round picks.
On July 19, the Hawks traded Luguentz Dort to Oklahoma City and Ryan Nembhard to Dallas in a three-team deal. Risacher went to the Mavericks, and the Thunder got three second-round picks.
Dort is entering the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million contract. He will earn more than $17.2 million in 2026-27. Devin Carter also arrived from Sacramento. McCollum signed an extension, and Jock Landale re-signed.
Atlanta declined Jonathan Kuminga's team option, and he remains unsigned.
The Hawks selected another young guard with the eighth overall pick in June. Kingston Flemings, in his only season at Houston, averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Additionally, Atlanta drafted Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar.
Onsi Saleh was promoted from general manager to president of basketball operations on May 27. Hawks coach Quin Snyder agreed to a multiyear contract extension on June 8.
Hawks Get Another Look at Philadelphia
Last season, Philadelphia finished with a 45-37 record, placing seventh in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers defeated Orlando in the play-in tournament before trailing Boston 3-1 in the first round. Philadelphia then won three consecutive games to beat the Celtics in seven.
New York comfortably defeated the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Philadelphia revamped its roster in the summer by signing LeBron James and trading for Jaylen Brown from Boston.
Atlanta did not lose to Philadelphia last season. The Hawks went 4-0 in the season series. Their final meeting came March 7, when Atlanta won 125-116.
The Hawks will see another familiar opponent earlier in the season when Emirates NBA Cup group play begins.
Atlanta opens group play Nov. 6 against Young and Washington at State Farm Arena. The Hawks are in East Group C with the Wizards, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Charlotte Hornets.
The NBA will release the full 82-game schedule Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
