Hawks Try to End Losing Streak Against Upstart Pistons

The Atlanta Hawks find themselves in a downward spiral as they travel to face the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. After an overtime victory against the Boston Celtics two weeks ago, the Hawks were sitting three games above .500 and eyeing playoff positioning. Now, they’re reeling, having lost eight straight.

Adding to their struggles, Atlanta recently lost one of its most versatile players, Jalen Johnson, to a season-ending shoulder injury. The absence of Johnson, who was averaging career highs in points and rebounds, leaves a major void in the lineup.

Despite the setbacks, the Hawks have shown fight. On Saturday, they nearly pulled off a comeback against the Indiana Pacers, rallying from an 18-point deficit before ultimately falling 132-127.

Trae Young, the NBA’s assist leader at 11.5 per game, continues to do his part. He finished with 34 points and 17 assists in the loss to Indiana, keeping his team in the game until the final minutes.

“This is a team sport,” Young said. “I tell everybody all the time, you want to be an individual in this sport, you go play tennis, golf, all those other sports. This ain’t it. So I’m gonna continue to trust my guys and get them the ball.”

With Johnson out, coach Quin Snyder is experimenting with lineup changes. Two-way player Dominick Barlow got the starting nod against Indiana and contributed 10 points in 13 minutes.

Pistons Riding Momentum as They Eye Season Sweep

On the other side, the Detroit Pistons (25-24) are embracing their status as an emerging contender. The NBA’s worst team last season has flipped the script and now sits above .500.

Detroit already owns two wins over Atlanta this season, including a 122-121 thriller on Nov. 8, where Cade Cunningham posted a triple-double and scored the game-winning shot. In their 114-104 victory on Jan. 22, Cunningham dominated again with 29 points and 11 assists.

Most recently, the Pistons defeated the Chicago Bulls 127-119 on Sunday, their seventh win in the last ten games. Seven Pistons scored in double figures, with Cunningham leading the way with 22 points and 15 assists.

Detroit’s offensive balance has been a key to its resurgence. Against the Bulls, the Pistons recorded 38 assists on 54 field goals and scored 80 points in the paint.

“Everybody is incorporated and involved, and that makes everybody feel good,” forward Tobias Harris said. “That’s what this team is about—enjoying the whole progression of this season and who we are becoming as a group.”

Detroit’s Underdog Mentality Drives Success

Despite their improvements, the Pistons are staying locked in with an underdog mindset.

“We keep an underdog mentality,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We are aware of what people’s expectations were for us coming into the season, and it doesn’t change. We have to keep that edge and that chip on our shoulder, so we don’t allow ourselves to get comfortable.”

Detroit’s defensive intensity and aggressive playstyle have made them a tough matchup for opponents, something Atlanta will have to deal with Monday night.

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Key Matchup to Watch: Young vs. Cunningham

One of the most intriguing battles in this game will be the point guard showdown between Trae Young and Cade Cunningham.

• Young: Leads the NBA in assists per game (11.5) while averaging 26.3 points per contest. He’ll need a big game to get Atlanta back on track.
• Cunningham: The former No. 1 pick has been on fire against the Hawks this season, averaging 25.5 points and 13 assists in their previous two meetings.

Game Preview & What’s at Stake

• Tip-off: Monday, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
• Season Series: Pistons lead 2-0

A win for the Hawks would snap their losing streak and give them a much-needed confidence boost before the trade deadline. For the Pistons, another victory would strengthen their push for a playoff spot and further establish their newfound identity.

Can Atlanta break the streak, or will Detroit continue its dominance?