The Atlanta Hawks face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in a matchup shaped by injuries, urgency, and two teams trying to climb back into their conference races. Tip is at 8:00 p.m. ET at FedExForum, with coverage on FDSSE and streaming on Fubo.

Atlanta arrives on a four-game skid and sits 10th in the East at 20-25. Memphis just grabbed a much-needed win and is 11th in the West at 18-23. Both sides will lean on stars and role players alike, as key names remain out.

Injury report tilts the chessboard

The Hawks are without three important frontcourt pieces: N’Faly Dante (torn ACL), Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles tendinitis), and rookie wing Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion). Depth is thinner with RayJ Dennis and Caleb Houstan on two-way G League assignments and Nikola Djurisic on assignment as well, all listed as doubtful.

Memphis counters its own absences: Brandon Clarke (right calf strain), Zach Edey (left ankle), Ty Jerome (right calf strain), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery recovery) are out. Forward Santi Aldama is doubtful with right knee soreness; if he’s cleared, he slides into the starting power forward spot next to Jaren Jackson Jr. If not, Memphis will have to juggle size and spacing in the frontcourt.

“If Aldama sits, JJJ has to own the glass or it gets messy fast.”

Projected starting lineups

Given the injuries, here’s how both teams are expected to open:

• Hawks: PG Dyson Daniels, SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker, SF Corey Kispert, PF Jalen Johnson, C Onyeka Okongwu
• Grizzlies: PG Ja Morant, SG Cedric Coward, SF Jaylen Wells, PF Santi Aldama (if available), C Jaren Jackson Jr.

These lineups paint a clear picture. Atlanta will push pace and play through Jalen Johnson’s all-around game and Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s scoring. Memphis will rely on Ja Morant to control tempo and on Jaren Jackson Jr. to anchor both ends.

Stars set the tone: Johnson vs. Morant and Jackson Jr.

Jalen Johnson is the engine in Atlanta. He averages 21.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game — near triple-double numbers. He can grab-and-go, make the first read, and punish switches at the rim. When Johnson plays downhill, the Hawks look fast and free.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker brings a scoring punch at 20.7 points per game. If he gets hot early, it opens clean looks for Corey Kispert on the wing and back cuts for Daniels. With Porzingis out, Onyeka Okongwu’s 15.4 points and 8.2 boards are vital. He screens, dives, and keeps second-chance plays alive.

For Memphis, Ja Morant’s 19.0 points and 7.0 assists are the spark. He tilts defenses with his first step and collapses the lane for kick-outs. Next to him, Jaren Jackson Jr. adds 19.2 points and rim protection. His pick-and-pop range pulls bigs away from the basket. If Aldama plays, his 14.6 points and 6.8 rebounds help balance the floor and lighten JJJ’s load.

“This is where Jalen Johnson has to play like an All-Star to stop the slide.”

Form, flow, and what it means

Atlanta’s four-game losing streak puts pressure on every possession. The Hawks need a clean start on the road — win the first quarter, keep turnovers down, and make Memphis chase shooters. A tight, eight-man rhythm might help stabilize things without overtaxing starters.

Memphis, fresh off a win, wants to stack momentum. At home, the Grizzlies thrive when they speed the game, force live-ball turnovers, and attack early in the shot clock. If Aldama can’t go, Memphis may test smaller groups to run even more, but that could leave them light on the glass.

Matchups that matter

• Pace and control: Dyson Daniels vs. Ja Morant — Daniels (12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists) is a big guard who defends, rebounds, and keeps the ball moving. Morant will try to turn this into a sprint. Whoever controls pace likely controls the game.
• Paint and boards: Onyeka Okongwu vs. Jaren Jackson Jr. — Okongwu must win the rebounding battle and stay out of foul trouble. Jackson Jr. stretches the floor and blocks shots; his spacing could pull Okongwu away from the rim.
• Wing scoring: Nickeil Alexander-Walker vs. Memphis wings — If NAW gets downhill, it will force extra help, freeing Kispert and cutting lanes for Johnson. For Memphis, steady minutes from Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells will be key to holding the line on the perimeter.
• Secondary playmaking: Cam Spencer — At 12.8 points and 7.2 assists per game, Spencer gives Memphis a steady hand when Morant sits. His pick-and-roll reads can punish soft coverages.

“Ja vs. Dyson isn’t about points — it’s about who owns the tempo in the fourth.”

Keys to the game

• Turnovers — Live-ball mistakes become instant points for Memphis. Atlanta must value the ball, especially in the backcourt.
• Rebounding — With bigs out on both sides, team rebounding decides extra shots. Long rebounds could swing to whoever wins the effort plays.
• Foul trouble — Jackson Jr. is an elite shot-blocker, but early fouls would stress the Memphis rotation. The same goes for Okongwu anchoring Atlanta.
• Three-point rhythm — Kispert’s spacing for the Hawks and Jackson Jr.’s pick-and-pop for the Grizzlies will shape the help defense and driving lanes.

How to watch

The game tips at 8:00 p.m. ET from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. TV coverage is on FDSSE. Fans can stream the matchup live on Fubo.

What a win would mean

For Atlanta, a road win would stop a four-game slide and keep their hold on the 10th seed. It would also reinforce that their offense can hum even without Porzingis and Risacher.

For Memphis, another victory would tighten the West race and show that their depth can carry them on nights when the medical report is long. If Aldama returns, it’s a bonus. If not, it’s a chance for others to grow into bigger roles.

Either way, expect urgency, quick rotations, and stars leaning into their strengths. In a season where health often decides the story, this one comes down to who best handles the gaps — and who writes the next chapter with pace, poise, and boards.