Hawks fall to Rockets 122-113 in preseason opener

When the Atlanta Hawks faced the Houston Rockets in their first of four games of the preseason, they were back to their best. Fans got to see the new players, current team members, and those vying for a spot on the roster for the first time. After joining Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Jalen Johnson in the starting lineup, Kristaps Porzingis was already one of the newcomers.

In order to reach his trademark off-the-backboard jumper, Porzingis popped it off for the Hawks on the scoreboard. The Hawks struggled offensively early, but the second unit sparked a turnaround. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored in traffic, and Luke Kennard added his first points—not from three. Stronger defense helped Atlanta stay close, trailing 24-23 after the first quarter. In the second, despite the Rockets’ hot three-point shooting, the Hawks stayed in the game, with Kennard hitting a wide-open three off a defensive stop.