The Atlanta Hawks travel north of the border to face the Toronto Raptors in an Eastern Conference matchup on January 3, 2026. The Hawks, currently ninth in the East, are coming off back-to-back wins and look to extend their momentum against a Raptors team that’s fourth in the conference but dealing with key absences. This game could highlight the Hawks’ improved defense under coach Quin Snyder against Toronto’s balanced attack led by Scottie Barnes.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This modern venue, with a capacity of 19,800, has been the Raptors’ home since 1999 and is known for its passionate fans, especially in divisional games.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will air on TSN for Canadian viewers and FanDuel Sports Southeast (FDSSE) for Hawks fans, with streaming available on NBA League Pass, FuboTV, and other services.
Injury Report
Injuries loom large for both squads, potentially shifting the dynamics in the frontcourt and backcourt.
Atlanta Hawks:
Trae Young (PG): Questionable (right quad contusion). Young missed the January 2 game against the Knicks and his status remains uncertain; if he sits, Dyson Daniels or Vit Krejci could start at point.
N’Faly Dante (C): Out (right knee torn ACL). Dante has been sidelined long-term, thinning Atlanta’s center depth.
RayJ Dennis (PG): Out (G League – Two-Way).
The Hawks have not yet submitted their final report, but no other major issues were noted from their recent win.
Toronto Raptors:
Jakob Poeltl (C): Out (lower back strain). Poeltl is expected to miss time until at least January 7, forcing Toronto to rely on backups like Kelly Olynyk or Sandro Mamukelashvili in the paint.
Chucky Hepburn (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
A.J. Lawson (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Alijah Martin (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).
Ja’Kobe Walter (G): Out (right shoulder subluxation).
Player Matchups
This contest features young talents on both sides, with potential adjustments based on injuries.
Trae Young (ATL, if available) vs. Immanuel Quickley (TOR): Young’s elite playmaking (averaging 11.5 APG) and scoring could overwhelm Quickley’s defense, but Quickley’s quickness and three-point shooting (around 40%) make this a high-scoring guard battle.
Jalen Johnson (ATL) vs. Scottie Barnes (TOR): Johnson, fresh off his seventh triple-double (18 PTS, 11 AST, 10 REB vs. Knicks), faces Barnes’ all-around game (20 PPG, 8 RPG, 6 APG). This forward matchup could dictate rebounding and transition play.
Onyeka Okongwu (ATL) vs. Kelly Olynyk/Sandro Mamukelashvili (TOR): With Poeltl out, Okongwu’s athleticism (recent 23 PTS outings) has an edge over Toronto’s backups in the paint.
Other Key Battles: Zaccharie Risacher (ATL rookie) vs. RJ Barrett (TOR), where Barrett’s scoring (24 PPG) tests Risacher’s defense. Bench units, including Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic, could swing the game.
Recent Team Forms
The Hawks are heating up with defensive improvements, while the Raptors have been competitive but inconsistent at home lately.
Atlanta Hawks: 5-5 in their last 10, but winners of their last two, including a 111-99 road win over the Knicks on January 2 and a 126-102 home victory against Minnesota. They’ve shot efficiently (48% FG in recent wins) and held opponents under 100 points in key games.
Toronto Raptors: 6-4 in their last 10, but coming off a narrow 106-103 home loss to Denver on January 1. They’ve struggled without Poeltl, allowing more points inside, though their offense averages 115 PPG recently.
| Recent Games | Atlanta Hawks | Toronto Raptors |
| Last 5 Results | W @ Knicks (111-99), W vs. Minnesota (126-102), L @ Indiana (105-112), W vs. Orlando (120-108), L @ Milwaukee (110-102) | L vs. Denver (103-106), W @ Washington (118-105), W vs. Utah (120-115), L @ Orlando (108-112), W vs. Boston (115-110) |
| ATS Record (Last 10) | 4-6 | 5-5 |
| Over/Under (Last 10) | 6-4 Over | 5-5 |
Series History
The Raptors hold a slight all-time edge at 57-54 in 111 regular-season meetings. Toronto has won the last three encounters, including a 138-118 blowout on October 22, 2025, and a 109-97 victory on November 7, 2025. However, Atlanta is 3-2 in their last five road games against Toronto.
Betting Trends
Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and 5-3 ATS against Eastern teams. Toronto is 3-2 ATS in their last 5 but 9-8 ATS at home. The under has hit in 4 of Atlanta’s last 6, while the over has gone 6-4 in Toronto’s recent games. Head-to-head, the over has cashed in 4 of the last 5.
Game Odds
Atlanta Hawks 236.5
Toronto Raptors – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 2, 2026
