Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson Return to Hawks Starting Five Against Charlotte

The Atlanta Hawks look to even the season series against the Charlotte Hornets as they get key players back in the lineup.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Atlanta Hawks are facing the Charlotte Hornets for the fourth and final time this season. Atlanta is getting back starters Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson, who missed the team's previous game. The Hawks are looking to even the season series against the Hornets, who currently hold a 2-1 advantage. Charlotte will be without starters Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges, giving the Hawks a potential advantage.

Why it matters

This game is important for the Hawks' playoff positioning, as they are currently neck-and-neck with the Hornets in the Eastern Conference standings. A win would help Atlanta leapfrog Charlotte and give them the tiebreaker. The Hawks are also looking to continue their strong passing performance, having recorded 30+ assists in 35 games this season, tied for the most in the NBA.

The details

The Hawks' starting lineup will feature Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. Alexander-Walker is coming off a career-high 10 assists against the Hornets, while Risacher had an efficient 18-point, 3-block game in their last matchup. Okongwu also contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds. The Hawks will look to their passing and balanced scoring attack to overcome the absence of Diabate and Bridges for the Hornets.

  • The Hawks and Hornets are meeting for the fourth and final time this regular season.
  • In the teams' most recent matchup on 2/7, the Hawks dished out 30 assists, tied for the most in the NBA this season.

The players

Dyson Daniels

A starting guard for the Atlanta Hawks who is returning to the lineup after missing the previous game.

Jalen Johnson

A starting forward for the Atlanta Hawks who is also returning to the lineup after missing the previous game.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' starting guard who recently recorded a career-high 10 assists against the Hornets.

Zaccharie Risacher

The Hawks' starting forward who had an efficient 18-point, 3-block performance in the last matchup with the Hornets.

Onyeka Okongwu

The Hawks' starting center who contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds in the previous game against the Hornets.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game is crucial for the Hawks' playoff positioning, as they look to even the season series against the Hornets and potentially leapfrog them in the standings. With key players returning to the lineup and the team's strong passing attack, the Hawks have a chance to gain ground in the tight Eastern Conference race.