The Atlanta Hawks visit the Los Angeles Lakers for an intriguing matchup in La La Land this Wednesday. Check out our preview of this game below.

Catch this game live on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM, Manila time

Away: Atlanta Hawks (20-21, 13-10 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Dyson Daniels
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker
  • Zaccharie Risacher (Questionable)
  • Jalen Johnson
  • Onyeka Okongwu

The post-Trae Young era has been excellent so far for the Hawks. They have won all of their last three games and are 2-0 straight up since trading Young to the Washington Wizards. 

In their most recent outing, Atlanta defeated the Golden State Warriors on the road on Monday, 124-111. 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced the Hawks against the Dubs with 24 points on 9/18 shooting, while Jalen Johnson provided 23 points on 9/16 shooting. Luke Kennard came off the bench and shot 8/11 for 22 points. Kennard could potentially miss the LA game, however, as he is labeled questionable with a neck sprain. 

The Hawks defeated the Lakers at home in November despite Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson missing the game due to injuries.

Atlanta is 4-2 against the spread in its last six games away from home.

Home: Los Angeles Lakers (23-14, 10-7 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Marcus Smart
  • Rui Hachimura
  • LeBron James
  • Deandre Ayton

Meanwhile, the Lakers are moving in the opposite direction of the Hawks. While Atlanta is winning games, Los Angeles is on a three-game losing streak. On Tuesday, the Lakers suffered a 124-112 defeat at the hands of the lottery-bound Sacramento Kings on the road. 

Luka Doncic was a bright spot for LA in that contest, as he dropped 32 points on 16/25 shooting, but most of the other guys didn’t bring much to the table for the Lakers. LeBron James had 22 points on 8/17 shooting against the Kings, but he could be rested against the Hawks, as it is the second leg of a back-to-back. 

In the first meeting with Atlanta, the Lakers hurt themselves with 20 turnovers, which the Hawks turned into 36 points. It was the most glaring difference in that game, so ball security is going to be a point of emphasis for the Lakers in the rematch versus the Hawks. 

The Lakers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four home games against Atlanta.

Picks

Spread: Atlanta Hawks (-3.0)
Over/Under: Under (232.5)