Atlanta Hawks preseason action is fully underway. It feels like the offseason gets shorter every year.
Well, it certainly was shorter this time around for Atlanta's next opponent. After a home battle with the rebuilding Memphis Grizzlies, the Hawks travel to San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
Talk about difference in opponent...
While Atlanta has one preseason game under their belt, San Antonio doesn't. In fact, the last time they suited up as a unit was in Madison Square Garden, where they lost the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks. The Hawks are their first post-Finals test.
Hawks can use readiness to their advantage against superior opponent
The Spurs - as they currently stand - are better than the Hawks. It's not to say Atlanta won't get there eventually, maybe even towards the end of this upcoming year, but they aren't quite there yet.
There's also a reason preseason basketball doesn't count towards a team's record. It's the time to try things out and finalize lineups. Winning isn't any sort of priority. It's always nice, but it's not the focus.
Atlanta has a pretty solid chance to win this one.
Rust is inevitable for a Spurs squad that hasn't played as a full group in some time. Plus, it's no guarantee that Victor Wembanyama, or any of San Antonio's top dogs, will suit up for the home exhibition.
Atlanta may choose to sit some guys, as well. It might prove wise to give Jalen Johnson a rest, considering some of the hard falls he took during their Monday evening outing.
Even their end-of-rotation guys got some quality minutes during the opener, though, and they could take advantage of whatever dry spell the Spurs need to snap out of early.
If Wembanyama plays, though, anything is possible.
Atlanta's bigs would be given the ultimate preseason test
While they may decide to rest Onyeka Okongwu or Jock Landale to avoid injury with Wembanyama on the other side, it would make sense to let them compete.
There's no challenge quite like defending the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, and it certainly isn't a one-man job.
Still, the reps are invaluable, and Okongwu could especially build some confidence entering the new season with a solid performance against the league's best.
The Hawks must hope the Spurs' quest for revenge doesn't begin on Thursday, because if it does, they could be in some trouble.
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