The Atlanta Hawks have had an up-and-down beginning to the 2026-27 season.
Despite recent losses, though, their outlook remains mostly positive. Their only two defeats so far this season have been from the same opponent - a real Western Conference contender in the Houston Rockets.
Atlanta's division rival, the Miami Heat, certainly can't say the same. They've suffered a monumentally underwhelming start to the year, and are desperate for their first win of the season. With an 0-4 record four games into the season, the Hawks must be careful, as the Heat will do everything they can to pick up a victory in their next matchup.
Hawks host the Heat at home in crucial momentum battle
Both teams, surprisingly, have a good bit at stake on Wednesday night.
Despite being just five games into the new season, momentum is real. No team wants to start 0-5, and no team wants to fall under .500. One will happen soon.
If the Hawks ultimately fall their division rival at State Farm Arena, they'll drop to 2-3 on the year. After a promising 2-0 start to the year, a third consecutive loss would minimize a lot of hope fans have begun to build.
Two losses to the Rockets are very justifiable. Atlanta only sees them twice a year. They can put those games in their back pocket and shift their focus to their in-conference competitors. One of those squads is the Heat.
If the home team takes care of business, though, not only will they be undoubtedly trending in the right direction, but panic might ensue in Miami. A couple of losses at the beginning of a season can be a coincidence. Five in a row is an entirely different conversation.
Since many projected Miami as a postseason-lock, and well ahead of Atlanta in the expected Eastern Conference standings, an early-year statement would go a long way for building league-wide confidence in this Hawks squad.
A dominant home victory would go an even longer way
Atlanta, once again, has very little time to rest after their in-division meeting with the Heat.
Just one day later, they're set to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers. At least this time they won't have to travel. They're finally receiving consecutive games in their home arena. This will be the first time this season they've been able to stay in one spot two games in a row.
There's never been a better time for an early-season statement.
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