ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks aim to extend their season-best winning streak to seven games on Tuesday night when they host the Dallas Mavericks, who are mired in a seven-game losing skid. Tip-off from State Farm Arena is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.
This marks the first of two meetings between the Hawks and Mavericks this season, with the rematch set for March 18th in Dallas. Despite Dallas having won the last four contests between the teams, the current form suggests a different outcome could be in store.
Atlanta is coming off a strong 125-116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, a win that pushed their record to 33-31. The Hawks have won seven of their last eight games and now sit ninth in the Eastern Conference, just 1.5 games behind the eighth-place 76ers and 2.5 games back from sixth-place Orlando. The team’s recent success has instilled a focused determination as they push for a higher playoff seed.
“I signify, People can only really just keep winning games,” Atlanta guard Dyson Daniels said after the win against Philadelphia. “There’s probably four or five teams that could rotate in that No. 5 to 10 spot. So, we just have to keep winning games. We attempt not to focus on that too much, but We see in the back of our heads. We do wish to get that playoff spot. We don’t really want to be in the play-in, so we’ve just got to keep winning games.”
Leading the charge for the Hawks has been Jalen Johnson, who is averaging 22.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.9 assists this season. In Saturday’s win against the 76ers, Johnson delivered a dominant performance with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, adding to his impressive season total of 39 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles.
Atlanta is hopeful that Jonathan Kuminga will be available for Tuesday’s game. Acquired from the Golden State Warriors at the trade deadline, Kuminga has shown promise, averaging 21.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in his three appearances with the Hawks. But, he has missed the last two games due to left knee inflammation. His return would provide a significant boost to Atlanta’s offensive firepower.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are struggling to find their footing. They were soundly defeated by the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, 122-92, extending their losing streak to seven games and their overall record to 21-43. Dallas currently sits at 12th in the Western Conference, a significant 9.5 games out of contention for a play-in tournament spot. Five of their last six losses have been by double-digit margins, with four of those defeats coming by at least 19 points, highlighting the team’s recent struggles.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the need for change. “We’ve got to look at some different combinations as we go forward,” Kidd said following the loss to Toronto. “Maybe looking at the starting group. Maybe it’s different combinations there in the first quarter. We’ll look at that as we get to Atlanta. We didn’t shoot the ball well, nor did we grab care of the ball. It’s hard to win in this league if you don’t do those two things well.”
Despite the team’s overall struggles, Daniel Gafford provided a bright spot in Sunday’s game, scoring 21 points on a perfect 10-for-10 shooting performance, adding 11 rebounds. Gafford is currently averaging 8.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Tuesday’s game will also mark the first appearance of top draft pick Cooper Flagg in Atlanta. Flagg, selected first overall in the 2025 draft, has played three games after missing eight due to a left foot sprain. He is currently averaging 20.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, and recently became the second-youngest player to reach 1,000 career points.
The Mavericks are also relying on contributions from P.J. Washington, who is averaging 14.0 points and 6.9 rebounds, and veteran Khris Middleton, acquired at the trade deadline. Middleton is averaging 11.8 points in 12 games with Dallas, providing a veteran presence and scoring option.
Following Tuesday’s game, the Hawks will continue their homestand, hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, March 13th. The Mavericks will travel to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers on Monday, March 9th, before heading to Atlanta.
The Hawks’ recent form and the Mavericks’ struggles suggest Atlanta is the clear favorite. However, in the unpredictable NBA, any team can win on a given night. Fans can expect a competitive matchup as both teams look to create a statement.
What’s Next: The Atlanta Hawks will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, March 13th at State Farm Arena.
What are your predictions for the Hawks-Mavericks game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
