Hawks And Grizzlies Battle Injuries In High-Stakes NBA Clash

The Atlanta Hawks rolled into Memphis on January 21, 2026, desperate to snap a four-game losing skid and reclaim some momentum in the ever-competitive Eastern Conference. Standing in their way at FedExForum were the Memphis Grizzlies, themselves grappling with a string of injuries and recent struggles, having won just three of their last ten contests. With both squads missing key contributors, the matchup was set to hinge on depth, discipline, and whichever bench could rise to the challenge when it mattered most.

Tip-off was slated for 8 p.m. ET, with fans tuning in via Fubo or catching the action live on FDSSE. The odds-makers had Memphis as a narrow -1.5 favorite, with a Moneyline of -120, while Atlanta was pegged at +100. The over/under for the night was set at a whopping 239.5 points—a nod to both teams’ high-octane offenses and recent defensive lapses. The Hawks came in averaging 117.5 points per game but allowing 119, while Memphis scored 115.1 and surrendered 116 per outing. No one expected a defensive slugfest.

Injuries cast a long shadow over the proceedings. Atlanta was without big man Kristaps Porzingis for a fifth straight game due to left Achilles tendinitis, and he wasn’t expected back until after January 26. Zaccharie Risacher also missed his fifth consecutive contest with a knee bone contusion, while N’Faly Dante was out for the season following knee surgery. Head coach Quin Snyder was forced to tinker with his lineups, recently moving Corey Kispert into the starting small forward spot in place of Vit Krejci. Jalen Johnson, meanwhile, was tasked with carrying a heavier load on both ends, especially on the boards and in the paint.

Memphis was hardly in better shape. The Grizzlies’ injury report featured Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), Zach Edey (ankle), and Brandon Clarke (calf) all ruled out, while Santi Aldama was listed as questionable with a knee issue. The absence of frontcourt depth put extra pressure on the likes of Jock Landale, who’d been stepping up admirably in recent weeks. Landale, a 30-year-old Australian center, was averaging 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in just under 23 minutes per game, shooting an efficient 52.6% from the floor and nearly 40% from deep. He’d scored at least 12 points in seven of his last ten outings—a trend that looked likely to continue given Atlanta’s shorthanded and porous interior defense.

“Landale should certainly be able to hit that mark tonight,” wrote Keagan Smith of DraftKings Sportsbook, pointing to Atlanta’s vulnerabilities in the paint and the absence of Porzingis. “His volume of shot attempts is modest, but the efficiency and matchup are quite good here.” Indeed, the Hawks had been giving up the ninth-most points in the paint and ranked sixth in points allowed overall—a recipe for trouble against a Grizzlies squad eager to exploit every mismatch.

On the Hawks’ side, all eyes were on Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who’d quietly emerged as one of the NBA’s most improved players in his ninth season. The 27-year-old wing, enjoying his first year in Atlanta, was posting career highs across the board: 20.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, with a robust 32.9 minutes of action each night. After a slow start—he’d failed to top 27.5 points, rebounds, and assists (PRA) in his first eleven games—Alexander-Walker had exploded, surpassing that mark in 19 of his next 32 outings. He was coming off a monster 44 PRA performance, his third-best of the season, and had topped 27.5 in seven of his last ten games. With Porzingis and Risacher sidelined, the door was wide open for another big night.

“Is it too early to write in Nickeil Alexander-Walker as a candidate to win Most Improved Player?” Smith mused, noting the veteran had more than doubled his scoring average from the previous five campaigns. Alexander-Walker’s hot streak was a rare bright spot for a Hawks squad that had struggled to find consistency amid injuries and shifting rotations.

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, were buoyed by the recent return of Ja Morant, who’d missed six games before dropping 24 points and 13 assists in a 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic in London. Morant’s ability to push the tempo gave Memphis a dynamic edge, especially against an Atlanta defense still adjusting to new roles and personnel. Supported by Jaren Jackson Jr. and, when healthy, Santi Aldama, Morant remained the focal point of the Grizzlies’ attack.

But even with Morant back, Memphis had struggled to string together wins. They were just 7-12 in games Morant played this season and 8-11 at home. The team hadn’t won back-to-back games since late December, a stat that loomed large as they tried to fend off a Hawks squad desperate for a turnaround. The season series between the two teams was tied 1-1 coming into the night, adding a little extra spice to an already critical matchup.

Both coaches, Snyder for Atlanta and Taylor Jenkins for Memphis, faced tough questions about how to maximize short-handed rosters. For Atlanta, the lack of size was a glaring issue—without Porzingis and Dante, rebounding and rim protection were constant concerns. Johnson’s increased responsibilities inside were crucial, but the Hawks needed contributions from up and down the roster to keep pace. Kispert’s shooting, now in a starting role, could be a difference-maker if he found his rhythm early.

For Memphis, the challenge was managing minutes and maintaining energy with so many regulars out. Landale’s emergence as a reliable scorer and rebounder was timely, but the Grizzlies needed more from their supporting cast to complement Morant and Jackson Jr. With both teams stretched thin, the contest was expected to come down to hustle plays, second-chance points, and which bench could seize the moment.

Pre-game predictions tilted slightly in Atlanta’s favor, with some analysts expecting the Hawks to snap their skid and escape Memphis with a narrow win. “Hawks 115, Grizzlies 113,” predicted one expert, highlighting Atlanta’s solid track record in Memphis—4-1 in their last five trips—and the Grizzlies’ inconsistency at home.

As the game tipped off, the stakes couldn’t have been higher for two teams fighting to stay relevant in their respective playoff races. The action was sure to be fast-paced, with plenty of scoring and, perhaps, a few surprises from unlikely heroes. With both squads searching for answers and a much-needed win, every possession felt like it could tip the balance.

Tonight’s matchup in Memphis was more than just another regular season game—it was a test of resilience, adaptability, and depth. With stars sidelined and rotations in flux, the Hawks and Grizzlies were set to deliver a contest where grit and guts mattered just as much as talent. As the night unfolded, fans and analysts alike watched closely to see which team would rise above adversity and take a crucial step forward in a season defined by challenges.

As the final buzzer approached, the story was still being written. Both teams, battered but unbowed, left it all on the floor in Memphis, determined to shape their own fate in the weeks ahead.