Atlanta, GA

Los Angeles and Atlanta meet in cross-conference matchup

Published

1 year ago

January 3, 2025

Los Angeles and Atlanta meet in cross-conference matchup

Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks (18-16, seventh in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (18-14, sixth in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -4; over/under is 231.5

BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta takes on Los Angeles for a non-conference matchup.

The Lakers have gone 11-5 in home games. Los Angeles gives up 114.1 points and has been outscored by 2.1 points per game.

The Hawks are 8-9 on the road. Atlanta is the Eastern Conference leader with 45.8 rebounds per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 10.2.

The Lakers are shooting 47.2% from the field this season, 0.1 percentage points lower than the 47.3% the Hawks allow to opponents. The Hawks average 13.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.4 fewer makes per game than the Lakers allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Davis is averaging 26.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two blocks for the Lakers.

Trae Young is averaging 22.3 points and 12 assists for the Hawks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 6-3, averaging 111.1 points, 43.6 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.2 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.4 points per game.

Hawks: 5-5, averaging 119.3 points, 45.4 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 10.8 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.5 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Jarred Vanderbilt: out (knee), Gabe Vincent: day to day (oblique), Christian Wood: out (knee), Anthony Davis: day to day (ankle), Jalen Hood-Schifino: day to day (hamstring).

Hawks: Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Bogdan Bogdanovic: day to day (leg), Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Cody Zeller: out (personal), Trae Young: day to day (hand).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Source link

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta Falcons’ Young Star Expected to Face NFL Suspension

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

Atlanta Falcons’ Young Star Expected to Face NFL Suspension

The Atlanta Falcons are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017, and they’ll be relying on a new coaching staff to help them get there. But Kevin Stefanski is no rookie; he’s a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, only now he’ll be working with an entirely different group of personnel after coaching in Cleveland since 2020.

In addition to a new coach, the Falcons may have a different starting quarterback as Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab last season’s torn ACL. He’ll also be competing with Tua Tagovailoa. Together, the Falcons believe they can compete for a playoff spot in the NFC South, but to do so, they’ll need all the help they can get. Unfortunately, the Falcons may not have everyone on hand to start the season.

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

According to The Athletic‘s Falcons insider Josh Kendall, the NFL is “likely” to suspend edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

Pearce faces three felony charges after an incident with his former girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce’s charges are for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing the police, and resisting arrest with violence.

“Atlanta now appears to be waiting on the NFL to decide on Pearce. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, commissioner Roger Goodell has wide latitude to impose discipline regardless of the outcome of the criminal case. The league is likely to suspend Pearce. Steelers defensive back Cam Sutton was suspended eight games in 2024 after a domestic violence incident that began as a felony charge but was eventually reduced to a misdemeanor. Goodell could also place Pearce on the commissioner’s exempt list, which serves as an indefinite suspension while the league gathers more information.”
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall on James Pearce

Pearce is coming off an excellent rookie season that saw him record a team-high 10.5 sacks while starting three of his 17 appearances. The 26th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft looks like he’s poised to be a star. Yet, now the 22-year-old may have to wait to start his second NFL season. The question is how long?

If Pearce is forced to miss time, the Falcons will be counting on others, such as fellow 2025 first-round pick Jalon Walker, to make a bigger impact. The 22-year-old Walker recorded 5.5 sacks, making nine sacks in 15 appearances.

5 Possible Brendan Sorsby NFL Supplemental Draft Landing Spots for Late July

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on Sportsnaut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports … More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Source link

Atlanta, GA

Atlanta sees great value in Swain at No. 23,

Published

13 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

I’ve also heard that Atlanta sees great value in Swain at No. 23, but the Hawks have been signaling for some time that they are prepared (and perhaps even prefer) to trade their second pick in the first round after No. 8 for future draft capital. It sounds as though Atlanta will invite external trade interest for that pick until it is actually on the clock to make the selection Tuesday night.

marcstein.substack.com

Source link