Hawks Eye Draft Lottery Odds in Final Regular Season Game

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The Atlanta Hawks have clinched a playoff berth, but they are also closely watching the results of other games on the final day of the NBA regular season. The Hawks own the unprotected first-round pick of either the New Orleans Pelicans or Milwaukee Bucks, whichever is more favorable. Depending on the outcomes of several key games, the Hawks could see their odds of landing a top-4 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft significantly improve.

Why it matters

The Hawks' draft position could have major implications for their future, as the 2026 NBA Draft is expected to be very deep and talented. Securing a high lottery pick could provide Atlanta with a potential franchise-changing talent to pair with their current roster.

The details

The Pelicans currently have the 8th best odds to win the NBA Draft lottery at 26.3% for a top-4 pick and 6.0% for the top overall selection. The Bucks have the 10th best odds at 13.9% for a top-4 pick and 3.0% for the #1 pick. However, if the Pelicans lose and the Grizzlies and Mavericks both win, there would be a three-way tie for the 8th best odds, which would be the best-case scenario for the Hawks. The Hawks also own the Cavaliers' first-round pick, currently slotted at #22.

• The final day of the 2025-26 NBA regular season is today, April 12, 2026.
• The Hawks clinched a playoff berth on Friday, April 10, 2026 with a win over the Cavaliers.

What’s next

The Hawks will find out their final regular season standings and playoff seeding after the conclusion of today's games. They will then await the results of the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 16th to determine the final order of the top picks, including the unprotected first-rounder they own from either the Pelicans or Bucks.