Rockets vs Hawks: two unbeaten teams meet in Atlanta
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Both teams are 2-0, so one perfect start ends on Saturday night.
- Atlanta beat Charlotte 128-81 on Friday, the biggest win margin in Hawks history.
- Houston beat San Antonio 114-110 on Friday, sealed by a late block from Amen Thompson.
The Houston Rockets visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. Both teams have won their first two games this season. The game takes place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, in the Hawks home opener.
What happened on Friday
Atlanta crushed the Charlotte Hornets 128-81 on Friday night. The 47-point margin set a new club record for Atlanta. The old record was 46 points, according to the Associated Press.
Atlanta led 68-43 at halftime and never looked back. The Hawks forced 14 turnovers in the first half alone. They finished with 17 steals and turned 27 Charlotte turnovers into 25 points.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 19 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. Aaron Wiggins added 19 points off the bench. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum also scored in double figures.
Houston had a much harder night in Texas. The Rockets beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-110 on Friday. The game came down to the final defensive play.
Amen Thompson blocked Victor Wembanyama with 0.6 seconds left on the clock. The block stopped a shot that could have tied the game.
Kevin Durant praised Thompson after the game for his quick jump.
Alperen Sengun led Houston with 29 points and seven assists against San Antonio. Durant and Thompson scored 20 points each. Fred VanVleet played 31 minutes and scored 14 points in that win.
Why this game matters
A 3-0 start is rare for both teams. Atlanta has not started 3-0 since the 2020-21 season. That team went on to reach the Eastern Conference final.
Houston last started 3-0 in the 2017-18 season. That team reached the Western Conference final. A win on Saturday would match those fast starts.
Atlanta has scored a lot of points so far this season. The Hawks average 130 points across their first two games. Their defense has been just as strong, with 12 steals from Dyson Daniels in two games.
Houston brings star power to Atlanta. Durant has been a tough matchup for the Hawks for years. In 34 career games against Atlanta, he averages 29.3 points per game.
The Rockets have also owned this matchup of late. Houston won both games against Atlanta last season, by 18 and 22 points. The Rockets have won four straight games in this series.
The most recent meeting came on March 20 in Houston. The Rockets won that game 117-95 behind 25 points from Durant. Houston leads the all-time regular season series 86-82.
Who plays and who sits out
Fred VanVleet will miss the game for Houston. He is out for knee injury management on the second night of a back-to-back. VanVleet missed last season after right knee surgery, so Houston is managing his workload.
Marcus Smart is listed as questionable with a forearm strain. He is expected to start if he is cleared to play. Reed Sheppard is also questionable with a knee contusion.
Steven Adams is out with an ankle injury, according to the injury report. For Atlanta, Mouhamed Gueye is out with a foot fracture. Henri Veessar is out with a knee injury.
The projected starters for Houston are Durant, Jabari Smith Jr, Sengun, Smart, and Thompson. The projected starters for Atlanta are Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, McCollum, and Alexander-Walker.
Fans in Houston can watch on Space City Home Network. Fans in Atlanta can watch on WANF through Gray Media.
Bookmakers list Houston as a small 1.5-point favorite, according to lines shared by Sports Illustrated.
What happens next
The winner stays perfect at 3-0 to start the season. The loser takes its first loss after a strong opening week. Either way, the two teams meet again very soon.
The season series ends on Monday in Houston. That rematch gives the loser a fast chance to respond. It also means fans get two games between these teams in three days.
For Atlanta, Saturday is a test of a new identity. The Hawks want to pressure teams on defense and run fast on offense. Houston has real shot makers, so this game will show if that plan holds up.
For Houston, Saturday is a test of tired legs. The Rockets played a hard game on Friday night in Texas. They now play a fresh Atlanta team that won its Friday game with ease.
The Atlanta Hawks streaming deal has already made headlines this week. The Bulls vs Bucks game also drew big search interest on Friday. Fans who want the full season picture can read how to watch the NBA season.
One unbeaten run ends on Saturday night in Atlanta. The other team takes a big early step in the new season.
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