Not to sound arrogant, but I feel empathetic toward the Atlanta Hawks right now. They’re a team that sincerely felt capable of competing in the playoffs at the dawn of this season, but are now torn to pieces. Atlanta’s former self can be seen in just the scraps left behind in the trade deadline, but despite now being without franchise centerpiece Trae Young or the recently departed Kristaps Porzingis (it’s getting very difficult tracking the Latvian these days), the Hawks, as currently constructed, appear much the same in capability.
Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels are excellent, don’t get me wrong, and adding Jonathan Kuminga from Golden State is, at least, somewhat interesting. But sitting on a 25-27 record, and dangling from the cliff of the Play-In Tournament, a team that was in the Eastern Conference Finals just… five years ago? Really, it’s been that long already?
The Hawks are stuck in the middle. They don’t own their own first-round pick this season, so they have no incentive to drop in the standings. With some fascinating pieces at their disposal (I haven’t even mentioned Mr. Number One Pick, Zaccharie Risacher, or beloved former Jazzman Nickeil Alexander-Walker), and the comfort of youth as their aid, Atlanta has nowhere to go but up. At least in theory, right?
The question is whether they’re capable of taking that forward step.
Utah, on the other hand, spent their trade season in unbroken productivity, collecting miscellaneous draft picks and contracts when they weren’t, you know, acquiring former DPOY and multiple-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.
The Jazz, unlike their Thursday night matchup in Atlanta, have every reason to bottom out this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder salivate at the idea of Utah’s first-round pick falling into their hands, and should it slide below the eighth slot, OKC will get to feast. Nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to see the Thunder grab yet another steal of the draft in the late lottery. The Jazz have a five-game cushion between themselves and that dreaded ninth space in the tank race.
Adding Jackson will make the Utah Jazz a better basketball team, yes, but the Jazz have no intention of cashing in on their newly acquired talent until October. They, too, delicately and precariously balance on the perilous cliff of the NBA standings, but unlike the Hawks, who are left sitting at the midway point pondering either direction, Utah’s road map is clear.
Utah’s new toys won’t be on display in this matchup, unfortunately, but if you’d like to take one last look at the pre-JJJ Jazz, here’s your chance.
How to watch Utah Jazz vs Atlanta Hawks:
Date: Thursday, Feb 5, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM MT
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Channel: KJZZ, Jazz+
Odds: ATL -9.5
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the NBA and College Sports since 2024.
