Fresh off their gut-punching defeat to the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday, the Detroit Pistons return to action on Friday night. They’re back on their home floor as they play host to Trae Young and the Atlatna Hawks.

Heading into this matchup, the Hawks sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 4-5 record. Before facing off against the Pistons, they secure a win over the New York Knicks in their previous game.

While the Hawks might have momentum heading into Friday’s matchup, they are going to be shorthanded. They’ll be without a pair of rotation players as Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) and De’Andre Hunter (knee) have already been ruled out. Both players have played in a total of three combined games through the opening weeks of the season.

Looking at the Hawks roster, one player the Pistons will have to watch out for is No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher. He is making the most of his extended minutes with players being out, erupting for 33 points against the Knicks. There is also Atlanta’s key players, Young and Jalen Johnson, who Detroit will have to keep close tabs on as well.

As for the Pistons they too might not be at full strength for the matchup with the Hawks. After suffering a sprained against the Hornets, third-year big man Jalen Duren is doubtful. If he can’t suit up, Isaiah Stewart and Paul Reed will be called upon to man the center position. Reed stepped up in a big way for the Pistons Wednesday when Duren was forced to exit, notching 13 points and two rebounds in 12 minutes of action.

For those looking to tune in, the Pistons and Hawks are slated to tip off at 7:00 pm Eastern Time.

ATLANTA – Communities across metro Atlanta are honoring veterans with a range of ceremonies and events. From moving tributes at local parks and community centers to a veterans’ march and a 5K run, these gatherings offer opportunities to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. Explore the list below to find a Veterans Day event near you and join in paying tribute to those who have served.

Ceremonies

Acworth Veterans Day Ceremony

• When: 2 p.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Patriot’s Point in Cauble Park, 4425 Beach Street, Acworth
• What: The city of Acworth honors veterans with a ceremony at its Veterans Memorial. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held at the community center.
• More Info

Atlanta Veterans Day Ceremony

• When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Veterans Park, West Paces Ferry Road and Slaton Drive, Atlanta
• What: Ceremony honoring active-duty members, veterans, families, and the community. Hosted by the Atlanta History Center. Registration encouraged.
• More Info

Atlanta’s 43rd Annual Veterans Day Parade, Expo, and Ceremony

• When: Nov. 9
• Where: Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta and Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta
• What: Veterans Day ceremony at 9:30 a.m.at Woodruff Arts Center, parade at 11 a.m. There will also be an expo with 40+ exhibits.
• How Much: Free general admission
• More Info

Gwinnett County Veterans Day Ceremony

• When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville
• What: Ceremony includes a Veterans March. All veterans who served honorably are encouraged to participate. Available live on the County’s Facebook page.
• More Info

Norcross Veterans Day Ceremony

• When: 10 a.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College Street NW, Norcross
• What: The ceremony includes speeches, patriotic music, and the raising of the American flag.
• More Info

Peachtree Corners Veterans Day Ceremony

• When: 11 a.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Town Green, 5140 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners
• What: Community ceremony recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of veterans.
• More Info

Roswell Veterans Day Breakfast and Ceremony

• When: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road, Roswell
• What: A breakfast and ceremony honoring veterans. Registration required.
• More Info

Snellville Veterans Celebration

• When: 3 p.m. Nov. 11
• Where: Snellville City Hall, 2342 Oak Road, Snellville
• What: Ceremony to honor local veterans.
• More Info

Other

Tucker 2nd Annual Veterans Day 5K Run/Walk

• When: 8 a.m. Nov. 9
• Where: Tucker High School, 5036 LaVista Road, Tucker
• What: Honors veterans and raises funds for the new Post building, supporting efforts to combat veteran suicide.
• More Info

10th Annual Veterans Memorial 5K

• When: 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9
• Where: Marietta Square, 1 Cherokee Street, Marietta
• What: 5K race supporting local veterans and military initiatives.
• How Much: $45 on race day
• More Info

Veterans Day Cruz-In Car Show

• When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nov. 9
• Where: American Legion Post 201, 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta
• What: Classic, exotic, custom cars and motorcycles on display, along with a baseball game.
• How Much: Free general admission
• More Info

Veterans Day Blues Festival

• When: 4 – 11 p.m. Nov. 10
• Where: Westside Motor Lodge, 725 Echo Street NW, Atlanta
• What: Live blues performances, BBQ, and multiple vendors.
• How Much: Tickets start at $10
• More Info

Local Deals

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar – Free classic American meal with burger and choice of chips, fries, or tots. Must have military ID.

Chicken Salad Chick – Free meal for all veterans and active-duty military in uniform or those with a valid military ID.

City Barbeque – Free sandwich and beverage for veterans and active military with ID.

Golden Corral – Hosting a Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. until close. All current service members, retired military, and veterans with ID will receive a free buffet and drink. DAV (Disabled American Veterans) members will be onsite to accept donations for their charity.

National Center for Civil and Human Rights – Free admission for service members, veterans, and retired military members. Show military ID at the ticketing window. Valid Nov. 9-11.

MORE SPECIAL DEALS

7 Brew Coffee – Veterans will receive 25% off any drink with a military ID or veteran ID.

Six Flags Over Georgia – Free park admission for veterans and active military members on Nov. 9-10 and 16-17. Special programming included.

Tellus Science Museum – Free admission for veterans on Nov. 11. Must bring proof of military service.

World of Coca-Cola – Military members (active duty, reserves, and retirees) are always admitted free. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 11, military members can also purchase up to four general admission tickets at half-price.

Your 3rd Spot – All active and retired military can enjoy $3 entry and experience passes for 3 hours with valid military ID on Nov. 10 and 11.

To submit information to be added to this list, please send an email to wagaweb@fox.com. 

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Beltline has purchased the property of the now shuttered Elleven 45 Lounge in Buckhead and plans to convert it into a portion of the trail. 

“We had a young lady lose her life and people got shot at this club that should not have allowed guns into the premises. So, they were bad actors and bad operators,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, describing the violent events at Elleven 45 on Mother’s Day.

When a gunman shot and killed two people and wounded four others. 

In August, a Fulton County Superior Court Judge deemed the club a “public nuisance” and shut it down. 

Dickens says the city then saw an opportunity. 

“We talked to the ownership and said, ‘hey, we want to buy this property so we can complete the beltline trail,’” he said. 

It turned out the property sits in an ideal spot for the Northwest Segment 2 of the Beltline trail. 

“The Northwest Trail is perhaps the most technically challenging from an engineering and design perspective,” said CEO for Atlanta Beltline Clyde Higgs.

He says acquiring this property has given them a golden opportunity to connect the trail to Peachtree Road and make that portion of the trail much more accessible.

“This last acquisition piece was significant because it’s going to create a better trail experience from an ADA access perspective of getting access to the Shepherd Center to Piedmont Hospital,” Higgs said. 

It came at a hefty price tag. Higgs confirms it cost them around $11 million. Much more than the original plan for this section of the trail. 

“This was bigger than our original budget. But because we have realized cost savings in other places along the Beltline, we were able to repurpose some of those savings and bring that to an area in order to make sure Buckhead gets a significant investment from the Beltline,” Higgs said. 

Mayor Dickens says it’s a two-for-one special the city previously could have only dreamed of. 

“We got rid of a nuisance, and we’re improving the city by putting the Beltline through here. So, you’re going to see something amazing come about from this,” Dickens said. 

It’s a big step forward for one of Atlanta’s most ambitious projects. 

A project that aims to have much of the trail completed in time for the arrival of the world’s biggest sporting event. 

“We will have nearly 18 miles of the Beltline completed before the World Cup arrives in Atlanta in 2026,” Higgs said. 

He said that will likely not include the portion with the Elleven 45 Lounge property. 

He says the Northwest Segment 2 portion will be completed in late 2026 or early 2027.