Hawks' Plus-Minus Numbers Raise Early Concern After Preseason Loss

The Atlanta Hawks are 0-1 in the preseason after losing to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Atlanta lost to Memphis 132-123 in a preseason exhibition on Oct. 5. The franchise is entering the season with motivation and hopes of clinching a second consecutive playoff berth.

Although the preseason doesn't have implications for how the team's regular season will go, it can be used as a measuring stick for patterns that could carry into the year. After the team's first preseason game, there is one statistic that could concern fans.

One statistic that stood out in Atlanta's Monday night loss was the plus-minus column. Plus-minus tracks the net change in score while a specific player is on the floor, per NBAstuffer.

If a player's team outscores the opponent while he is on the floor, the number rises. If the team is outscored, it falls.

Atlanta had 11 players finish the game in the negative.

Forward Dyson Daniels (-8), forward Jalen Johnson (-8), center Onyeka Okongwu (-8), guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (-11), guard Kingston Flemings (-12), guard Aaron Wiggins (-13), center Jock Landale (-9), forward Corey Kispert (-9), forward Asa Newell (-5), guard Kobe Johnson (-1), and forward Cameron Corhen (-1) all finished in the minus.

Again, while this is only one game, it does show the possibility of Atlanta struggling at times as it tries to solidify the starting lineup and other rotations.

Not to mention, guards Luguentz Dort, CJ McCollum, and three others didn't play in Monday's matchup. Most teams play between four and six preseason games, so there will be time for the Hawks to get a better look at different combinations.

During the offseason, Atlanta's front office was aggressive in the draft, trade market, and free agency. The franchise acquired Wiggins at a low cost.

Within the same time frame, the organization drafted Flemings and center Zuby Ejiofor.

Both Flemings and Ejiofor, as well as Henri Veesaar, signed their rookie deals. In July, the Hawks acquired Dort.

Atlanta is operating over the salary cap after CJ McCollum agreed to a one-year, $21 million extension in June. The team doesn't have any player making more than $30 million this season, which could help the front office remain flexible if it wants to make a move during the regular season.