The Atlanta Hawks face the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night in their second preseason game. Jalen Johnson needs to prove he can defend better after a rough start. Victor Wembanyama is the main threat, and the Hawks must stop him from dominating early. This game is a chance to show real improvement before the regular season starts.
Jalen Johnson Needs a Bounce Back
Jalen Johnson had a tough time in the first game against Memphis. He shot only 1-for-7 from the field and scored just eight points. A player who earned All-NBA honors last season faced a troubling indication when a rookie guarded him with ease. According to Sports Illustrated, this is not encouraging for a star player.
However, the matchup tonight looks much more manageable for Johnson. The Spurs do not have many players who can match his size and speed. Per Sports Illustrated, Harrison Barnes, Carter Bryant, or Julian Champagnie are the likely defenders, and none are elite stoppers. Tobias Harris is out with a calf injury, which removes a potential defensive option for San Antonio. Johnson should have a solid game if he focuses on his strengths.
Victor Wembanyama Is the Real Test
Victor Wembanyama’s era saw the Spurs advance to the Finals before their current run. Their preseason opener aims to deliver a strong statement. The Hawks will face a team that is looking to prove they are still a top contender. With numerous lineup uncertainties, San Antonio could deploy a distinct setup versus the undersized Hawks.
One key thing to watch is whether Wembanyama finds a new go-to move. The basketball world wants to see a signature scoring move that is hard to stop. According to reports, we will see if he can establish this against Atlanta. The Spurs also plan to play De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper together more often. This three-guard lineup could be a problem for the Hawks if they do not get their feet moving.
Team Health and Rotation Issues
Both teams will rest some key players to avoid injury. The Hawks have several players questionable for the game. Aaron Wiggins has a lip injury, Luguentz Dort has a knee issue, and CJ McCollum has a nose problem. Henri Veesaar is out, which limits the depth on the bench.
Jock Landale is back after a bad ankle injury ended his season early last year. He made his presence known in Atlanta after a trade deadline deal. According to Yahoo Sports and Newsweek, he was heading to Utah until instructed to “get off the [dang] plane.” He drove six and a half hours from Memphis to Atlanta to play. Landale averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 games before his season ended. Now he is back with a new one-year, $14.1 million contract. He sounds thrilled to be back and ready to help the team.
Landale admitted his recovery was slow. “My ankle injury took a little while to get over,” Landale said at media day. He spent time working on his body. Now he is ready to play. The Hawks need him to be a reliable backup center who can space the floor. He is a bigger body than Onyeka Okongwu and can help against bruising bigs. This is a big boost for the team as they get ready for the long season ahead.
