The Atlanta Hawks won’t have to wait long to see how they profile as an Eastern Conference contender. Their November 2 clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers inside Rocket Arena concludes a four-game road trip, and comes on the heels of an NBA Cup matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
A stretch like this is the type of scheduling stretch that best imitates a playoff run. For it to come against a top contender like Cleveland? Even better.
With Boston hampered by injuries, the Cavs are expected to strengthen their grip on the East in 2025. President of Basketball Operations Kobe Altman has built an impressive roster that features a centerpiece guard (Donovan Mitchell) alongside young and athletic assets. Big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen patrol the paint better than most every other duo in the NBA.
They’ve crafted a roster much like the Hawks. Trae Young, now armed with a bevy of strong role players, has his best roster in years. Onsi Saleh has made the most of Atlanta’s assets and made 2025 a summer to remember.
Hawks-Cavs has crossmatches to watch everywhere
The matchup is intriguing at multiple positions. One of Cleveland’s weaknesses is their wing depth, but Atlanta fans know all about De’Andre Hunter and how impactful he can be. It’ll be a revenge game for the 27-year-old, which adds another subplot to an already intriguing game.
Inside, the Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu and Kristaps Porzingis will face one of their stiffest tests all season. How they fare against a formidable pair like Mobley and Allen could serve as a strong indicator for their playoff viability. Mobley, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year winner, has turned many bigs back in high-stakes games thus far. We’ll see if Atlanta can buck the trend.
Above all else, the matchup to watch most is at the point guard position. Trae Young against Donovan Mitchell. It’ll be a battle between two guards squarely in their primes, gunning for a signature season. They’ve each been questioned about how far they can lead contenders in the postseason. The cries around Mitchell have continued after a second-round loss last season, while Young’s Hawks have been mired in mediocrity.
For Young, this is a prime matchup to prove his value. He and Hawks are at a crossroads in contract talks. Having a statement game against a top opponent like Cleveland would speak volumes about how much he should command on his next contract, whether it be in Atlanta or elsewhere.
Both teams see themselves as contenders, especially with the aforementioned East feeling wide-open. If Atlanta can capture a road win in Cleveland, they might just be the talk of the NBA one month in.