Hawks vs Lakers: Game Preview, Injury Report, Projected Starting Lineups

Can the Hawks get their second win of the year against the Lakers?

Last night in Los Angeles, the Atlanta Hawks pulled off one of the more remarkable results of the NBA season against the Clippers. Despite being 9.5-point underdogs and missing players like Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu, Saddiq Bey, and Kobe Bufkin, Atlanta dominated the whole way and led by as much as 27 in the game. The Clippers were mostly healthy as well. 

Now, the Hawks have a chance to win another game in L.A. when they face the Lakers tonight. 

Coming into tonight's game, the injury report is going to be very important. Because it is a back-to-back, the Hawks don't have their injury report right now, and Bogdan Bogdanovic left the game last night and there was no update given on his status. 

Quin Snyder said the Hawks are "going to examine" Bogdan Bogdanovic but no update.

At this point, there hasn't even been any public indication on what the potential injury is.

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) March 18, 2024

The Lakers have plenty of injury questions themselves. Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent are all out, while Anthony Davis and LeBron James are questionable for tonight. Keep an eye out to see how the injury report breaks for both teams this afternoon and leading up to the game.

So how do these two teams match up?

Game Preview

This is going to be the second matchup of the year between the Lakers and the Hawks and Atlanta won the first game handily 138-122. The Hawks were a healthier team then and the Lakers were missing Davis in that game. Davis could be out for this game, but Atlanta is not going to have Young to lead the offense. 

Coming off of losses to Portland and Utah, the performance last night against the Clippers came out of nowhere. 

The offense for the Hawks was very good against the Clippers and it came with Dejounte Murray not having to take a lot of shots. Murray has had to be the focal point of the offense and while he has been scoring 30-40 points, it has not been the most efficient way of running the offense. Murray scored 21 points and had 10 assists last night in the win over the Clippers. The Laker's defense is tough, but how tough will be depending on if Davis plays or not. 

Bogdanovic had a terrific second quarter last night, scoring 11 points, but that was it for him. He did not do much else outside of the second quarter and left the game late. Keep an eye on his status. 

Vit Krejci is continuing to start for the Hawks in the absence of Bey. Krejci is shooting 30% (4-13) from three and has made some improvements as a defender during his time as a starter. Krejci is not asked to do much and is splitting time with De'Andre Hunter, who is playing fantastic. 

After an inefficient first game back, Jalen Johnson looked fantastic on both ends of the floor for Atlanta last night. He finished with 18 points on 7-14 shooting as well as grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out six assists. 

Clint Capela has had a double-double in five straight games and he is going to have a chance for another big game tonight. He had 15 points and 13 rebounds last night. 

Hunter continues to lead the bench unit and he had another 20-point game last night and shot 8-13 from the field. Hunter has been one of the NBA's best bench players since coming back from his injury and has been shooting exceptionally well. 

Bruno Fernando, Garrison Matthews, Wesley Matthews, and Trent Forrest will be the bench unit for the Hawks tonight along with Hunter. Fernando has been solid for the Hawks in Okongwu's absence while both Wesley and Garrison have been giving the Hawks solid three-point shooting. 

Coming into this game, Atlanta ranks 5th in PPG, 23rd in field goal percentage, 7th in three-point attempts, 17th in three-point percentage, 5th in free throw attempts, 1st in offensive rebounding, and 15th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks are 9th in points per 100 possessions, 19th in effective field goal percentage, 10th in turnover percentage, 5th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 9th in free throw rate. 

The Lakers come into the game ranking 23rd in the NBA in PPG allowed, 19th in field goal percentage allowed, and 25th in three-point percentage allowed. Per Cleaning the Glass, Los Angeles is 15th in points allowed per 100 possessions and 18th in effective field goal percentage allowed. 

If James and Davis were to not play tonight, the Hawks would be at a major advantage. D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura would have to carry the team in that scenario. Russell has been playing really well as of late, but he is better when he has the Laker's top two stars. 

L.A. is 10th in PPG, 3rd in field goal percentage, 30th in three-point attempts, 7th in three-point percentage, 6th in free throw attempts, 30th in offensive rebounding, and 20th in turnovers. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Lakers are 15th in points per 100 possessions, 6th in effective field goal percentage, 16th in turnover percentage, 29th in offensive rebounding percentage, and 8th in free throw rate. 

Mar 17, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) celebrates against the LA Clippers in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Injury Report

There has not been an injury report release for the Hawks yet today but keep an eye on it to see if there are any additions due to it being a back-to-back. 

Update (4:43 p.m. ET)- The Hawks have upgraded Onyeka Okongwu to questionable. He has not played since February 12th vs the Bulls. 

Trae Young, Kobe Bufkin, Saddiq Bey, AJ Griffin, and Mouhamed Gueye are all out. 

An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tonight's game at LA Lakers:

Onyeka Okongwu (left big toe sprain/sesamoiditis): Questionable

Saddiq Bey (left knee torn ACL): Out
Kobe Bufkin (left big toe sprain): Out
AJ Griffin (right lower leg/right ankle contusion): Out
Mouhamed… pic.twitter.com/ErRVWTIPS4

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) March 18, 2024

Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent are all out, while Anthony Davis and LeBron James are questionable for tonight. Keep an eye out to see how the injury report breaks for both teams this afternoon and leading up to the game.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip-off time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast, 

Spread and Over/Under: The Hawks will be underdogs on the road tonight, as they are currently 8.5 point underdogs according to the latest odds from the SI Sportsbook and the over/under is set at 225.5.

Projected Starting Lineups

Hawks:

G- Bogdan Bogdanovic

G- Dejounte Murray

F- Vit Krejci

F- Jalen Johnson

C- Clint Capela

If Bogdanovic can't go, Trent Forrest might get the start. 

Lakers:

G- D'Angelo Russell

G- Austin Reaves

F- LeBron James

F- Rui Hachimura

C-Anthony Davis

I will project James and Davis in for now. 

Atlanta Hawks Blowout Los Angeles Clippers in Stunning Upset 110-93