The Brooklyn Nets are depleted heading down to Atlanta. Here's where to watch and the betting line.
A skeleton crew comprises this Brooklyn Nets lineup for Thursday night against the Atlanta Hawks.
There'll be no Egor Demin due to shutting down with a foot injury. Ziaire Williams is battling an illness and won't play. Day'Ron Sharpe is dealing with a left thumb sprain. And...the leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. has a right ankle sprain and won't be active.
We can also add Nolan Traore doesn't look likely to play either with rest as the reason.
Once again, it's a skeleton crew amid this depleted lineup heading inside the State Farm Arena. This more than likely means that the Nets are the overwhelming underdog, right?
Absolutely right...with the Hawks earning a 15.5-point line per FanDuel Sportsbook. Then there's DraftKings handing them a similar line.
Atlanta is simply in far better shape. Even in the post Trae Young world.
Young once was considered a coveted star in the NBA Trade market for 2025-26. Brooklyn fans hoped Sean Marks would strike a deal to land the perennial NBA All-Star. Except the Washington Wizards have since landed the embattled talent.
Jalen Johnson is now the new face of the Hawks. He's leading in points per game (23.0) and in rebounds (10.4) plus even assists (7.9) as their basketball triple crown leader.
Atlanta also happens to have another player once considered a Nets contender before the trade deadline in Jonathan Kuminga. The former Golden State Warriors star has hit the ground running in the ATL; averaging 21.3 PPG with 7.7 rebounds.
Kuminga, however, has missed the last three games with a knee ailment.
"He was listed on the injury report with left knee inflammation at first, but the Hawks recently switched it to left knee bone bruise, which is what kept him sidelined when he was traded," wrote Hawks reporter Malik Brown of ClutchPoints before the game.
Kuminga is listed as questionable for the contest, which could become a good thing for a minimized Nets team considering Brooklyn won't have to face his versatility.
But still, Brooklyn has its hands full already with Johnson plus Nickeil Alexander-Walker -- as the guard is averaging 20 points a night.
This contest could get one-sided in a hurry. Especially with Porter out as Brooklyn struggles on the offensive side without him. Don't be stunned if the Hawks cover.
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