RADIO
Jalen Johnson Cleared to Face Nets Saturday
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is available for Saturday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, according to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. Johnson missed the past three games after spraining his ankle Oct. 31 against New Orleans, a stretch Atlanta went 3-0 without him. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists, though he is shooting just 42.1% from the field and 25.8% from deep. Luguentz Dort should shift back to the bench, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu could see fewer touches with Johnson back handling a large share of the offense.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Jalen Johnson Listed as Questionable for Friday
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Washington Wizards after missing two straight contests with a left ankle sprain. The 2026 All-Star is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists through seven games. Luguentz Dort has started in his place but scored only six points on 2-for-10 shooting Wednesday, while Onyeka Okongwu delivered 14 points and 16 rebounds. If Johnson remains out, Dort should stay in the starting five, with Okongwu also carrying a larger share of the work up front. Johnson's next chance to return would come Saturday against Brooklyn.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Johnson Questionable for Wednesday Against the Wizards
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards after sitting out Monday's win over Indiana. Johnson sprained his ankle Saturday against New Orleans and is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting 42.1 percent through seven games. CJ McCollum took on more of the playmaking Monday and handed out 12 assists, while Luguentz Dort stepped into the starting lineup and knocked down four threes on his way to 14 points. If Johnson sits again, McCollum should remain heavily involved as a creator, with Dort a strong candidate to stay in the first unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Hawks Forward Jalen Johnson Is Out Vs. Pacers
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (left ankle sprain) has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the Indiana Pacers, per the Hawks. Johnson is averaging 18.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game so far this season while shooting 42.1 percent from the field. Johnson played 28 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night and scored 13 points with seven rebounds and four assists, with one blocked shot and four turnovers. Johnson will try to recover and return for Wednesday night's game against the Washington Wizards.
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Source: Atlanta Hawks
Jalen Johnson Iffy for Monday
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers after leaving Saturday's loss to New Orleans in the third quarter. Johnson finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 28 minutes before exiting. The 24-year-old is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season, leading Atlanta in both rebounds and assists. With Jock Landale (hip) and Mouhamed Gueye (foot) also out, the Hawks are thin up front. Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort are the leading candidates to enter the starting lineup if Johnson cannot play.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dorian Finney-Smith Heads to Atlanta
The Charlotte Hornets are trading forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Atlanta Hawks for guard/forward Buddy Hield, guard Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Finney-Smith gives Atlanta another veteran frontcourt option while Mouhamed Gueye (foot) continues working back from July surgery. The 33-year-old struggled after returning from left ankle surgery last season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.8 minutes across 37 games with Houston while shooting just 27.0 percent from three. He'll need to regain his outside shot and carve out steady minutes before becoming much of a fantasy option.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Buddy Hield Traded to Hornets
The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard/forward Buddy Hield, guard Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Hield appeared in only seven games for Atlanta after arriving from Golden State at the trade deadline and averaged a career-low 7.6 points across 51 games last season. Charlotte already has plenty of perimeter options, including Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, Coby White, Grayson Allen, and Dennis Schroder, so consistent minutes could be tough to find. Hield's main fantasy appeal remains his ability to provide three-point shooting when given enough run.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Buddy Hield Surfaces in Hawks-Hornets Trade Talks
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield has surfaced in on-and-off trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reporting that discussions have included Dorian Finney-Smith. Hield averaged 7.6 points in 16.1 minutes across 51 games last season while shooting a career-low 34.9 percent from three. He barely featured after arriving in Atlanta, and the additions of Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins add more competition for perimeter minutes. Charlotte is crowded on the wing as well, with Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale, and Liam McNeeley among the options. A trade alone would not revive Hield's fantasy value; he still needs a steady rotation role and a bounce-back shooting season.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Hawks Waive Keyshawn Bryant
The Atlanta Hawks waived forward Keyshawn Bryant on Thursday, one day after adding him to the training camp roster. The move coincided with Atlanta signing guard Lamont Butler and appears procedural, with Bryant likely headed toward the College Park Skyhawks if he clears waivers. The former South Carolina and South Florida forward has three seasons of G-League experience, averaging 9.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 18.9 minutes across 40 career appearances. His best stretch came with the Windy City Bulls in 2025-26, when he averaged 12.0 points and 4.1 rebounds and dropped 41 points against Westchester. Bryant never had a clean path through an Atlanta wing group featuring Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins, so there is no fantasy impact here.
Source: Brad Rowland
Source: Brad Rowland
Luguentz Dort Says Hawks Transition Has Been Smooth
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Luguentz Dort said he called Nickeil Alexander-Walker right away after learning of his July trade from Oklahoma City, according to Thunder Wire's Clemente Almanza. The two were high school teammates and longtime competitors, and Dort said Alexander-Walker has helped him adjust to Atlanta's style of play. Dort backed that chemistry Monday with 25 points on 8-for-13 shooting in Canada's 97-92 qualifying win over Argentina, while Alexander-Walker added 26. Still, Dort is coming off a quiet NBA season, averaging 8.3 points on a career-low 38.5 percent shooting. With Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels also in Atlanta's perimeter mix, Dort's fantasy value remains tied mostly to steals, threes, and defensive minutes.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Buddy Hield Leads Bahamas Past Uruguay with 28 Points
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield posted a team-high 28 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the Bahamas' 103-94 win over Uruguay on Thursday in the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers. The 33-year-old shot 8-for-16 from the field, 6-for-11 from three, and 6-for-7 at the line in 32 minutes, though he also committed four turnovers. The shooting burst fits Hield's profile, but it does little to change his fantasy outlook in Atlanta. He appeared in only seven regular-season games after February's trade to the Hawks, averaging 5.1 points in 7.3 minutes. With CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luguentz Dort, and Dyson Daniels ahead of him in a crowded perimeter mix, Hield has no clear fantasy path unless injuries or another move opens minutes.
Source: Keith Smith
Source: Keith Smith
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Leads Canada's World Cup Qualifying Roster
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker headlines Canada's roster for Window 4 of FIBA World Cup qualifying, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. Canada opens the second round Thursday against Panama in Panama City before hosting Argentina on Monday in Quebec City. The reigning Most Improved Player is the top name in a stripped-down group, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, and Andrew Nembhard sitting out. Hawks teammate Luguentz Dort and veteran big man Kelly Olynyk are also in camp. The qualifiers do not carry fantasy value, but Alexander-Walker's workload is worth noting after he averaged 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds last season. Atlanta's guard and wing mix now includes Dort, CJ McCollum, and Buddy Hield, so his real fantasy outlook will depend on how those touches shake out in camp.
Source: Josh Lewenberg
Source: Josh Lewenberg
Hawks May Move Buddy Hield
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield could be used in offseason trade scenarios as the team works through a roster crunch, per Evan Sidery. Atlanta guaranteed Hield's $9.66 million salary for 2026-27, but that does not lock him into the rotation, especially after he played only seven regular-season games with the team following his deadline move from Golden State. The 33-year-old averaged 5.1 points in limited minutes with Atlanta, and the Hawks have more players than regular-season roster spots after a busy offseason. For fantasy, Hield has little value if he stays buried in Atlanta, but a trade to a team that needs shooting could put him back on the deep-league radar as a threes specialist.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Buddy Hield Reportedly Not Part of Hawks' Plans
Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Buddy Hield does not appear to be part of the team's plans moving forward, John Hollinger of The Athletic reports. The 10-year veteran has a $9 million contract for next season, but his future in Atlanta looks bleak. After arriving in February in a trade that saw Kristaps Porzingis move to Golden State, Hield appeared in only seven games, averaging 7.3 minutes. Parting ways looks like a good option for both sides. Although Hield had a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, averaging fewer than 10.0 points per game for the first time in his career, he's been a consistent three-point threat in the league and could still add value for teams.
Source: John Hollinger
Source: John Hollinger
Hawks Pick Up Jalen Wilson on Two-Way Contract
The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to a two-way contract with forward Jalen Wilson, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports. The former University of Kansas standout spent his first three pro years with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 7.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game. Wilson showed promise at times in Brooklyn but never fully established himself with the team and wasn't brought back for a fourth year. Now in Atlanta, he gets a new opportunity, though he'll probably spend much of his time in the G League.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
