Hawks Ride Nine-Game Streak Into Matchup With Magic

Atlanta looks to widen gap in playoff race against Orlando

Mar. 16, 2026 at 5:08pm

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The Atlanta Hawks, currently the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference, will host the 5th-seeded Orlando Magic in a key matchup tonight. The Hawks have won 9 straight games and are led by All-Star Jalen Johnson, who is averaging a triple-double over his last 10 games. The Magic, meanwhile, will be without key players Franz Wagner and Anthony Black, putting more scoring pressure on Paolo Banchero. Atlanta has already defeated Orlando twice this season and will look to continue their hot streak and gain ground in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race.

Why it matters

This game is crucial for both teams as they jockey for position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Hawks are trying to climb up from the 9th seed, while the Magic are looking to solidify their spot in the top 6. A Hawks win would pull them within 2.5 games of the 5th-seeded Magic, making the race for playoff positioning even tighter in the East.

The details

The Hawks have been dominant on both ends of the floor during their 9-game winning streak, posting a 119.8 offensive rating and 112.2 defensive rating. They've been led by the stellar play of Jalen Johnson, who is averaging a triple-double over his last 10 games. The Magic, on the other hand, will be shorthanded with the absences of Franz Wagner and Anthony Black, putting more scoring pressure on Paolo Banchero. Banchero has regressed somewhat from his impressive rookie season, but is still posting efficient scoring numbers.

  • The game tips off at 7 PM EST on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • The Hawks have won 9 straight games heading into this matchup.

The players

Jalen Johnson

The Hawks' All-Star forward has been dominant during their winning streak, averaging a triple-double over his last 10 games.

Paolo Banchero

The Magic's star forward has seen a slight dip in production this season, but is still posting efficient scoring numbers for Orlando.

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What they’re saying

“Jalen Johnson has been the centerpiece of this Hawks team, leading the charge with his all-around game and helping them climb up the standings.”

— Bill Yin, NBA Analyst (draftkings.com)

“Without Franz Wagner and Anthony Black, the Magic will need Banchero to shoulder an even bigger scoring load, which has been hit-or-miss for him this season.”

— Bill Yin, NBA Analyst (draftkings.com)

What’s next

The Hawks will look to continue their winning streak and gain ground in the playoff race, while the Magic will try to hold onto their position in the top 6 despite key injuries.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Hawks and Magic is a crucial one in the tight Eastern Conference playoff race, with both teams looking to improve their positioning. The Hawks' hot streak and the Magic's injury issues will be the key factors to watch as these two teams battle it out.