Hawks Look to Capitalize on Shorthanded Kings

Atlanta aims to hold onto playoff position against struggling Sacramento squad.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:09pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movement and energy of a fast-paced basketball game, with players and the court fragmented into overlapping geometric shapes and planes.The Hawks' up-tempo attack aims to overwhelm the depleted Kings in a key Eastern Conference matchup.Today in Sacramento

The Atlanta Hawks are looking to bounce back from a close loss to the Boston Celtics as they take on the injury-riddled Sacramento Kings. While the Hawks are fighting for playoff positioning in the East, the Kings have struggled all season and will be without several key players. Atlanta's fast-paced offense and defensive versatility could give them an advantage, but the Kings' midrange shooting and rebounding could pose challenges.

Why it matters

The Hawks are in a tight race for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference, with only 1.5 games separating the 6-10 seeds. Taking care of business against weaker opponents like the Kings is crucial to maintaining their current 6th seed. Meanwhile, the Kings are firmly in the lottery, making this a prime opportunity for the Hawks to pick up a much-needed win.

The details

The Hawks have been one of the better offensive teams in the NBA this season, ranking 7th in points, 6th in 3-point percentage, and 1st in assists. Their defense has been more inconsistent, but they've shown the ability to lock in at times. The Kings, on the other hand, have struggled on both ends, ranking near the bottom of the league in most offensive and defensive categories. With several key players out, including Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis, and Keegan Murray, the Kings will be hard-pressed to keep up with the Hawks' athleticism and scoring punch.

  • The Hawks are playing the second game of a back-to-back after losing to the Celtics on Monday.
  • The Kings will be missing several starters and key contributors due to injury.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' versatile forward has been a key contributor this season and could have a big game against the shorthanded Kings.

Maxime Raynaud

The Kings' rookie center has been a bright spot, averaging 17.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game since the All-Star break.

DeMar DeRozan

The veteran Kings forward is one of the best midrange shooters in the league and will be a focus for the Hawks' defense.

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What’s next

The Hawks will look to build on this win and continue their push for a higher playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. The Kings, meanwhile, will hope to get healthier and more competitive as they look towards the offseason.

The takeaway

This game represents a prime opportunity for the Hawks to pick up a much-needed win against a shorthanded opponent. If they can capitalize on the Kings' weaknesses and play to their own strengths, the Hawks should be able to solidify their position in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.