{"id":533640,"date":"2026-01-13T10:08:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/533640\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T10:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T10:08:26","slug":"lakers-vs-hawks-preview-new-look-opponent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/533640\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers vs. Hawks preview: New look opponent"},"content":{"rendered":"

Less than 24 hours after being blown out by the Sacramento Kings<\/a>, the Lakers (23-13) are back on their home floor where they will take on the streaking Atlanta Hawks (20-21) on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

This is the final regular season meeting between the teams.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Start time and TV schedule<\/p>\n

Who:\u00a0Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>\u00a0vs. Atlanta Hawks<\/p>\n

When:\u00a07:30 p.m. PT, Jan. 13<\/p>\n

Where: Crypto.com Arena<\/p>\n

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet<\/p>\n

This week for the Lakers is going to be one of their toughest this season. They\u2019re going to play five games in seven nights and Tuesday\u2019s game might just be the most challenging one. The purple and gold will host a Hawks team that just revamped their roster after trading Trae Young and one that\u2019s currently playing inspired basketball.<\/p>\n

Just like how it usually is after a team makes a trade, the Hawks look energized and determined to turn their season around, at least based on their recent 13-point road win against the Warriors. CJ McCollum \u2014 the main piece the Hawks received in exchange for Young \u2014 may no longer be the player he once was but he\u2019s still a veteran leader who will not only push this Hawks team to do well but will also contribute what he can. He\u2019s someone the Lakers should watch out for on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Besides McCollum, the Hawks are led by Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who have pretty much been the team\u2019s top two best scorers this season \u2014 even when Young was still a Hawk. Supporting Johnson and NAW are the likes of Luke\u00a0Kennard and Dyson\u00a0Daniels, who both specialize in their roles and can impact the game when they\u2019re feeling it, just like what happened against the Warriors.<\/p>\n

Remember, when these two teams first faced each other in November, the Lakers were run out of the gym<\/a>. Granted, they didn\u2019t have LeBron James and Austin Reaves in that one but the Hawks also didn\u2019t have Young and Kristaps Porzingis then. Atlanta had a terrific shooting night from the 3-point line (41%) and seven of their rotation players scored in double figures. The Hawks also dominated that game in the paint (62-46) and in transition (22-8). Expect them to attack the game the same way.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why this one\u2019s going to be a tough one for Los Angeles, but it\u2019s one they\u2019re going to have to grit out. Luka Don\u010di\u0107 will have to carry the team, especially if James \u2014 who hasn\u2019t played in the second night of a back-to-back this season \u2014 sits this one out. He will need help from his supporting cast and it\u2019s going to be up to Rui Hachimura, DeAndre Ayton, Jake LaRavia and co. to come through. They will have to play significantly better than they did against the Kings.<\/p>\n

The regular season in the NBA can become very demanding and grueling, where the Lakers find themselves right now. It\u2019s a challenge that they\u2019re going to have to conquer. Let\u2019s see how they navigate through this time as they aim to snap their three-game loisng streak against the Hawks on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Notes and Updates<\/p>\n

The Lakers are 2-4 this season when playing on the second night of a back-to-back.<\/p>\n

Since the Lakers are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, there is no injury report yet for this one. However, it\u2019s safe to assume that Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (MCL sprain) are out.<\/p>\n

As for the Hawks, Luke Kennard (neck sprain), Zaccharie Risacher (knee) and Asa Newell (right quad contusion) are questionable. Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is out.<\/p>\n

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at\u00a0@nicoleganglani<\/a>.<\/p>\n