The Atlanta Hawks are back at State Farm Arena tonight, and honestly, if you haven’t checked the roster in the last ten days, you might not even recognize half the guys warming up. It's January 17, 2026, and the "post-Trae Young era" is officially in full swing. Dealing a franchise cornerstone to the Wizards earlier this month wasn't just a minor tweak; it was a full-blown seismic shift that has completely rewritten the Atlanta Hawks starting lineup tonight.
Quinn Snyder is essentially building a new car while driving it at 80 miles per hour on I-85. Between the massive trade and a lingering injury bug that just won't quit, the rotations are, well, experimental to say the least. Tonight’s matchup against the Boston Celtics is going to be a massive litmus test for a group that is still learning each other's favorite spots on the floor.
The Projected Atlanta Hawks Starting Lineup Tonight
With the injury report looking more like a CVS receipt, here is how the Hawks are expected to take the floor against Boston:
- Point Guard: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
- Shooting Guard: Dyson Daniels
- Small Forward: Vit Krejci
- Power Forward: Jalen Johnson
- Center: Onyeka Okongwu
It’s a long, switchable lineup. That seems to be the new identity. They’ve swapped the high-octane, heliocentric offense of the past for a bunch of 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-9 guys who can theoretically guard multiple positions. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has stepped into that lead guard role, and while he isn't going to drop 12 assists a night like Trae, his defensive intensity at the point of attack is something the Hawks have desperately needed for years.
The Injury Situation is Rough
We have to talk about who isn't out there. Zaccharie Risacher is still sidelined with that nasty bone contusion in his left knee. It’s a huge bummer for the rookie, especially since he was just starting to find his rhythm before the New Year. Then you've got Kristaps Porzingis. The "Unicorn" is out again tonight dealing with left Achilles tendinitis. He’s only managed to suit up for 17 games this season, and his absence leaves a massive hole in the Hawks' rim protection and floor spacing.
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Dyson Daniels is technically "questionable" with a right ankle sprain he picked up recently, but the word around the facility is that he's going to try to give it a go. If he can't, expect someone like CJ McCollum to see a massive spike in minutes, or perhaps even a surprise start for the veteran.
Jalen Johnson: The New Face of the Franchise
Basically, this is Jalen Johnson’s team now. Since the trade, his usage rate has skyrocketed. He’s averaging 21.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 8.2 assists over his last 20 games. Those are practically MVP-caliber numbers. He’s become a walking triple-double threat, acting as the primary hub for the offense.
However, he’s coming off a bit of a stinker in Portland where he went 4-of-9 from the field. He looked a little hesitant. Against a Boston team that features Jaylen Brown and a surging Payton Pritchard, Johnson has to be aggressive from the jump. He can't just be a facilitator; he has to be the closer.
What’s Working (and What Isn’t)
The "new-look" Hawks are 2-2 since the trade. That's not world-beating, but considering they were on a brutal West Coast road trip, it’s actually kind of impressive. The defense has statistically improved. They aren't surrendering those 140-point games nearly as often.
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But the shooting? That's the concern. Vit Krejci is in the Atlanta Hawks starting lineup tonight primarily because he’s one of the few reliable floor spacers left in the rotation. He’s been lights out from three this season, but he doesn't offer a ton of secondary playmaking. If he’s not hitting shots, the floor shrinks for Johnson and Okongwu.
Onyeka Okongwu is also under the microscope. He had a career-high 26 points against the Blazers recently, but followed it up with a game where he was basically invisible due to foul trouble. He’s going up against Neemias Queta tonight, which is a physical matchup he should theoretically win if he stays disciplined.
Key Storylines for Tonight at State Farm Arena
Keep an eye on the bench. CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert have been coming off the pine since arriving from Washington, and honestly, they've been great. McCollum is averaging 19 points in his brief Hawks tenure. He provides that "adult in the room" presence that a young roster needs when things get chaotic in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks also just signed Christian Koloko to a two-way deal. Don't be surprised if he gets a few minutes tonight just to provide some size. With Porzingis out and Mouhamed Gueye also banged up with an ankle sprain, the frontcourt depth is paper-thin.
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"It's midseason, your team is evolving and it affects your performance," Quinn Snyder said after the loss to the Lakers. "With a group that's new to each other, we just need to work through those things."
That basically sums up the current vibe in Atlanta. It’s a work in progress.
How to Watch and What to Expect
The game tips off at 7:30 PM EST. You can catch it on FanDuel Sports Network if you're local, or NBA League Pass if you're out of market.
Expect a high-energy game. The Hawks are playing with a bit of a "nobody believes in us" chip on their shoulder right now. The Celtics are favored—obviously—but State Farm Arena is usually rocking for City Edition games like this one. If the Hawks can keep the turnovers down (they’ve been averaging about 15 a game lately) and Johnson can outplay the Boston wings, they have a puncher’s chance.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Monitor the injury report until about 6:45 PM EST. If Dyson Daniels is a late scratch, the entire defensive game plan against the Celtics' guards changes.
- Watch the Jalen Johnson vs. Jaylen Brown matchup. This is the ultimate test for Johnson as a primary option on both ends of the floor.
- Check the second-unit scoring. If McCollum and Kispert outscore the Celtics bench, Atlanta will be in this game until the final whistle.
- Look for Onyeka Okongwu's aggressiveness. When he's looking for his own shot early, it opens up the entire perimeter for the shooters.
The Atlanta Hawks starting lineup tonight represents a pivot toward a more versatile, defensive-minded future. It might be bumpy, and there will definitely be growing pains, but for the first time in a while, it feels like the Hawks have a clear direction. Whether that direction leads to a win tonight against the Eastern Conference elite remains to be seen.