Nets Vs Hawks: Afternoon Matinee at State Farm Arena Puts Young Stars and Struggling Nets on Display
The nets vs hawks matchup on Feb. 22, 2026 arrives with both teams under pressure: Brooklyn has lost consecutive games, while Atlanta is coming off a heavy home defeat. This afternoon matinee matters because it pits a Nets roster trying to end a prolonged road slide against a Hawks group looking to regain form at home in a stretch-heavy schedule.
Nets Vs Hawks: Standings, recent form and what's at stake
The Nets enter the game having suffered a 105-86 loss in Oklahoma City, marking a third straight defeat. The Nets' season record is listed as 15-40, and the club will attempt to halt a multi-game road slide in this matchup. The Hawks are recorded at 27-31 and come into the contest after a 31-point loss at home to Miami on Friday night. The teams meet at State Farm Arena, with tip scheduled for after 3: 30 PM ET on Feb. 22, 2026.
For Brooklyn, recent offensive struggles are highlighted by a stretch of sub-40 percent shooting from a key wing in multiple games, a trend that has coincided with losses. Atlanta arrives with home-heavy scheduling ahead, a window the team could use to climb in the standings if it can rebound quickly.
Key matchups and player notes for nets vs hawks
Several individual storylines will shape the contest:
- Jalen Johnson: The young forward has emerged as a central figure for Atlanta. He reached his first All-Star Game recently and registered his 11th triple-double on Feb. 20, finishing that game with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in 35 minutes. Season averages provided place him among the league leaders in multiple categories, and his consistent all-around production is framed as a key to Atlanta's turnaround.
- Onyeka Okongwu vs. Nic Claxton: Claxton returns for Brooklyn after missing two games with an ankle sprain and will face Okongwu in a matchup between the teams' primary centers. There is no word on a potential minutes restriction for Claxton; that detail may evolve before tip.
- Michael Porter Jr.: Porter Jr. logged his first back-to-back set of the season in the most recent slate, delivering a 22/9/5/2 line in 37 minutes. However, his shooting has dipped below 40 percent in four of his last five outings, a stretch that has aligned with several Nets defeats.
- Availability and roster notes: Ziaire Williams is out for personal reasons for a second straight missed game. Two players remain with Long Island, as do three two-way players. One notable Hawks acquisition is currently out of the lineup, a move referenced when discussing a prior trade for a young wing.
- CJ McCollum's role: Since joining Atlanta, McCollum has settled into a bench role and is averaging 19 points with shooting splits of. 460/. 374/. 729 in that role. His veteran steadiness is positioned as a stabilizing presence while the Hawks afford youngsters more runway.
Viewing info and game context for Feb. 22
The matchup is scheduled at State Farm Arena with tip after 3: 30 PM ET on Feb. 22, 2026. Television, streaming and radio options are available for the matinee; viewers should confirm local listings and platform availability. The game represents the second meeting of a four-game regular-season series between these clubs, following an earlier win by Atlanta in Brooklyn.
What to watch: Brooklyn needs improved shooting from its primary scorers and a strong interior presence from Claxton to challenge Atlanta's young core. For the Hawks, sustaining Jalen Johnson's all-around play and getting the supporting cast back on track after a lopsided loss will determine whether this home stretch becomes a momentum-building run.
Details such as exact minute allocations and late roster decisions could change leading up to the matinee; expect final confirmations in the hours before tip.
