Preview: Wizards at Hawks, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Hawks, clinging to postseason aspirations, host the struggling Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at State Farm Arena in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Hawks (28-31) enter having won two of their last three, including a 115-104 victory over Brooklyn on Sunday. They sit several games out of a guaranteed playoff spot and need consistency to improve their positioning for the play-in tournament. All-Star forward Jalen Johnson is the catalyst, coming off a 26-point, 12-rebound performance against the Nets. He has been a triple-double threat nightly, recording four in his last 10 games, including a 16-point, 16-rebound, 11-assist effort in a loss to Miami on Feb. 20. The Washington Wizards (16-39), owners of the second-worst record in the NBA, arrive after a rare winning streak. They swept a two-game set against Indiana last week, highlighted by a 131-118 win on Feb. 20 where guard Alondes Williams posted 25 points and 10 rebounds. Williams, averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists in those two wins, has emerged as a bright spot for a team focused on development. The season series is split 1-1. Atlanta won the most recent meeting 131-116 in Washington on Dec. 6, 2025, after the Wizards routed the Hawks 132-113 at home on Nov. 25. Atlanta’s primary objective will be containing Washington’s transition game and capitalizing on its size advantage inside, where Onyeka Okongwu provides a double-double presence. The Wizards, allowing 122.1 points per game, rank last in the league in defense and must find a way to slow Johnson’s all-around attack. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST as the Hawks begin a critical three-game homestand, while the Wizards open a two-game road trip.