USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Hawks Announce Starting Lineup For Tonight's Matchup vs The Kings

Originally posted on Atlanta Hawks on SI
By Jackson Caudell | Last updated Jan 22, 2024 9:43 PM ET

When your star point guard is out of the lineup with an injury, most teams would be wondering what they have to do with their starting lineup.

Not the Hawks.

This is the fourth missed game of the year for Trae Young and just like the times before, the starting lineup stayed the same. Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Clint Capela will be the first five on the floor for the Hawks.

Sacramento is starting De'Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis are the starters for the Kings.

Atlanta is 2-1 without Young this season, but you can't replace his playmaking ability in the lineup. Murray has shown he can take the team and lead them without Young, but they are different kinds of players. Murray is averaging 21 PPG, 5.0 RPG, and 5.0 APG this season and has been really efficient in shooting the ball. With Young out, Bogdan Bogdanovic is likely to get the start, as he has in all three games when Young has been out.

One guy that has to play better tonight is forward Saddiq Bey.

Saddiq Bey has been in a slump on offense for the better part of a month now. Coupled with being a bad defender, that can lead to some tough nights on the floor for Bey, but Saturday night might have been his worst this season.

Bey played 30 minutes last night, went 0-12 from the field, scoring zero points, and finished a -24 from the floor. The Hawks have to play him major minutes due to their injuries, but Bey is not playing well right now.

Jalen Johnson will also have to have an increased role with Young out. Johnson has been one of the NBA's breakout players this season averaging 15.0 PPG and 8.3 RPG.

The Hawks' offense is solid, but not spectacular this season. They are a good rebounding team, they get to the free-throw line, and they are one of the league leaders in three-point attempts.

Will that be enough against the Kings tonight? Let's see.

Follow Jackson on X here: @jacksoncauell

Follow Hawks coverage on Facebook here: All Hawks

This article first appeared on Atlanta Hawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: