Hawks Defeat Nets in Matinee Game as They Test New Rotations

Atlanta makes lineup changes, leading to some early struggles but a 115-104 victory.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 12:22am

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The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-104 in a Sunday matinee game, but the victory came with some growing pains as the team experimented with new rotations. The Hawks moved veteran guard CJ McCollum to the starting lineup, shifted second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher to the second unit, and gave extended playing time to veteran guard Gabe Vincent while cutting back on Corey Kispert's minutes. The changes left the Hawks looking a bit discombobulated early on, but they were still able to secure the win.

Why it matters

The Hawks are in the midst of an NBA season and are looking to optimize their lineup and rotations to maximize their chances of success. Trying out new combinations of players is a common tactic for teams as they navigate the long season, but it can lead to some initial struggles as the players adjust to their new roles.

The details

In Sunday's game, the Hawks made several changes to their starting lineup and rotation. They moved veteran guard CJ McCollum to the starting unit, shifting second-year forward Zaccharie Risacher to the second team. The Hawks also gave extended playing time to veteran guard Gabe Vincent, while cutting back on the minutes for Corey Kispert. These changes led to some early disjointed play from the Hawks, but they were still able to pull out a 115-104 victory over the Nets.

  • The Hawks defeated the Nets in a Sunday matinee game on February 22, 2026.

The players

Jalen Johnson

An Atlanta Hawks forward.

Egor Dëmin

A Brooklyn Nets guard.

CJ McCollum

A veteran guard who was moved to the Hawks' starting lineup.

Zaccharie Risacher

A second-year forward who was shifted to the Hawks' second unit.

Gabe Vincent

A veteran guard who received extended playing time for the Hawks.

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The takeaway

The Hawks' willingness to experiment with their lineup and rotations, even if it leads to some early struggles, shows their commitment to finding the optimal combination of players to succeed this NBA season.