The New Orleans Pelicans arrived in Atlanta on January 7, 2026, hoping to snap an eight-game losing streak, but the odds—and recent history—weren’t in their favor. Facing the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena, the Pelicans (8-30) entered the contest after a tough 111-103 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers just a night prior. Meanwhile, the Hawks (17-21) were also looking to right the ship after dropping two straight and nine of their last eleven, making this Eastern Conference clash a meeting of two teams desperate for momentum as the NBA season approached its midpoint.
Tip-off was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with fans tuning in via FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, Gulf Coast Sports, and streaming platforms like NBA League Pass and Fubo. For those in Atlanta, tickets for the in-person showdown were available on StubHub, adding a layer of anticipation to the midweek matchup.
The Pelicans’ recent struggles have been well-documented. New Orleans entered the game with a 1-7 record against the spread over their last eight games, losing three consecutive road contests and conceding an average of 122.8 points per game. Despite the team’s woes, forward Trey Murphy III has emerged as a bright spot. In the loss to the Lakers, Murphy poured in 42 points on 14-for-26 shooting, marking his second 40-plus point game of the season—his first coming against the San Antonio Spurs in early November. With Zion Williamson’s appearances limited this year, Murphy’s offensive consistency has been a rare source of optimism for Pelicans fans.
Yet, even Murphy’s heroics couldn’t prevent the Lakers from pulling away late, as Los Angeles outscored New Orleans 32-17 in the fourth quarter. Williamson was relatively quiet with 15 points, and rookie Derik Queen flirted with a triple-double, tallying 10 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Queen’s steady development has become a storyline to watch, especially after his 20-point performance in the teams’ previous meeting this season—a 115-98 Hawks win on November 22, 2025.
For Atlanta, the story has been one of inconsistency. The Hawks came into the night having lost two straight and sporting a 2-4 record over their last six games. Their most recent defeat came at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, where they fell 118-100 despite seven players reaching double figures. Center Onyeka Okongwu led the way with 17 points, but Kristaps Porzingis struggled, finishing with just nine points on 2-of-12 shooting. The Hawks’ 17-21 record against the spread highlighted their up-and-down season, and with key injuries looming, the pressure was on to deliver at home.
Injury reports were a major talking point ahead of tip-off. The Pelicans were without Jose Alvarado (oblique) and Saddiq Bey (hip), with Herbert Jones (ankle) and Trey Murphy III (back) both listed as game-time decisions. Guard Dejounte Murray was also sidelined with an Achilles issue. For the Hawks, All-Star guard Trae Young was questionable with a quadriceps injury, Onyeka Okongwu was dealing with an illness, and N’Faly Dante was out for the season due to a knee injury. These absences forced both coaches to dig deep into their rotations, giving young players and reserves a chance to step up on a big stage.
Betting markets reflected the uncertainty swirling around both squads. The Hawks entered as 10.5-point favorites, with moneyline odds at -450 for Atlanta and +350 to +360 for New Orleans, depending on the sportsbook. The over/under was set at a lofty 246.5 to 247 points, a nod to both teams’ high-scoring tendencies but also their defensive vulnerabilities. The Hawks averaged 118.5 points per game while allowing 119.9, and the Pelicans scored 114.8 but surrendered a league-worst 122.8 per contest. Pundits and betting experts were divided: some predicted Atlanta would win comfortably (one prediction pegged the final score at 121-114 Hawks), while others suggested the Pelicans could keep things close, especially with the Hawks’ struggles as favorites.
One intriguing prop bet focused on rookie Derik Queen, who was projected to exceed his 12.5-point line. Queen had averaged 15.19 points per game in December and 14.4 over his last ten contests, making him a popular pick to go over against a Hawks defense ranked 25th in the NBA. As noted in The Action Network’s preview, "Queen has 15.0 points per game in December, and has averaged 14.4 PPG in his last 10 contests. The only time he faced Atlanta this season, on November 22, he scored 20 points. Back him tonight to go over his points line against the Hawks."
With both teams missing key contributors, the spotlight naturally shifted to the supporting cast. For New Orleans, the question was whether Murphy could continue his scoring tear and whether Queen could exploit Atlanta’s interior defense. For the Hawks, Okongwu’s presence in the paint and the potential return of Trae Young were crucial factors. Atlanta’s depth was tested in their recent loss to Toronto, where seven players hit double digits but none eclipsed 17 points. The lack of a go-to scorer in Young’s absence has been a recurring issue, prompting speculation about possible trade moves as the deadline approaches.
Broadcast partners and streaming services ensured fans wouldn’t miss a moment. In addition to traditional TV coverage, NBA League Pass offered out-of-market fans a chance to stream the game via Amazon Prime Video, with a free trial and discounted subscriptions available. For those seeking in-person excitement, tickets remained on sale through StubHub, underscoring the enduring appeal of live NBA action—even when both teams are struggling.
As the teams took the floor, the stakes were clear. The Pelicans were desperate to halt their skid and reclaim some pride on the road, while the Hawks aimed to capitalize on their home-court advantage and reassert themselves in the playoff race. Both squads faced questions about health, consistency, and depth—a recipe for unpredictability and, quite possibly, fireworks in Atlanta.
With tip-off underway and the outcome still hanging in the balance, fans on both sides were left to wonder: Would Murphy’s hot hand lift the Pelicans out of their slump, or would Atlanta’s balanced attack and home crowd prove too much to overcome? One thing’s for sure—the action at State Farm Arena was set to deliver plenty of drama as both teams fought to change their fortunes in a tightly contested NBA season.