The Minnesota Timberwolves travel to face the Atlanta Hawks in an interconference clash on New Year’s Eve. The Wolves, third in the Northwest Division, aim to extend their strong recent play against a Hawks team mired in a seven-game skid and sitting 11th in the East. This matchup highlights Minnesota’s defensive prowess against Atlanta’s high-scoring but inconsistent offense, with potential playoff seeding on the line for both squads.
Venue Location
State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia. This 16,888-seat venue, opened in 1999 and renovated in 2018, serves as the Hawks’ home and is known for its modern amenities and energetic crowds during holiday contests.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET (12:00 PM PT). The afternoon start time positions this as a matinee game, likely broadcast on NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southeast, and FanDuel Sports Network North.
Injury Report
Injuries could play a significant role, particularly for the Hawks, who have been hampered by absences during their losing streak.
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Terrence Shannon Jr.: Out (Injury/Illness – Left Foot; Abductor Hallucis Strain)
Rocco Zikarsky: Out (G League – Two-Way)
The Wolves are relatively healthy, with their core rotation intact. Shannon’s absence impacts bench depth, but re-evaluation is set for two weeks.
Atlanta Hawks:
N’Faly Dante: Out (Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Torn ACL) – Season-ending surgery.
Eli John Ndiaye: Out (G League – Two-Way; also torn left labrum, out for season)
Nikola Djurisic: Questionable (G League – On Assignment)
Caleb Houstan: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)
Malik Williams: Questionable (G League – Two-Way)
Trae Young: Questionable (Injury/Illness – Right Quad; Contusion) – Day-to-day after missing recent games.
Jalen Johnson: Day-to-day (Illness) – Recently returned but status uncertain.
Kristaps Porzingis: Day-to-day (Illness) – Ruled out for prior game but expected to be monitored.
The Hawks’ depth is tested, especially in the frontcourt, but potential returns of Johnson and Porzingis could provide a boost.
Key Player Matchups
This game features compelling battles between star talent and defensive anchors, with Minnesota’s size potentially overwhelming Atlanta’s guards.
Anthony Edwards (MIN) vs. Trae Young (ATL): Edwards, averaging 26.5 PPG with explosive athleticism, faces Young’s elite playmaking (28 PPG, 11 APG). Young’s quad issue could limit his quickness, giving Edwards an edge in isolation scoring.
Rudy Gobert (MIN) vs. Kristaps Porzingis (ATL): Gobert’s rim protection (13 RPG, 2.5 BPG) clashes with Porzingis’ spacing (20 PPG, 8 RPG). If Porzingis plays through illness, his outside shooting could pull Gobert away from the paint.
Julius Randle (MIN) vs. Jalen Johnson (ATL): Randle’s physicality (22 PPG, 9 RPG) meets Johnson’s versatility (19 PPG, strong defense). Johnson’s potential return from illness adds intrigue to this forward duel.
Bench Battle: Naz Reid (MIN) vs. Onyeka Okongwu (ATL): Reid’s scoring punch off the pine versus Okongwu’s energy and rebounding (14 rebounds in recent game) could decide second-unit production.
Minnesota’s defensive rating (top-5 league-wide) favors them, but Atlanta’s home scoring (118 PPG) could exploit turnovers.
Recent Team Forms
Minnesota enters with momentum, while Atlanta is desperate to snap a slump.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Last 10 Games: 6-4)
Averaging 117.5 PPG, allowing 112.4 (+5.1 margin)
Key wins: 136-101 vs. Bulls (Dec 29), dominant defense; 115-104 vs. Knicks (Dec 23), Edwards’ 30+ points.
Losses: 123-107 vs. Nets (Dec 27), poor shooting; 142-138 OT vs. Nuggets (Dec 25), high-scoring affair.
Form: W-L-L-W-W-W-L-W-W-L (Strong home stretch, but road inconsistencies; elite rebounding at 48 RPG recently).
Atlanta Hawks (Last 10 Games: 2-8)
Averaging 118.5 PPG, allowing 128.3 (-9.8 margin)
Key wins: 120-117 vs. 76ers (Dec 15), Young’s triple-double; 131-116 vs. Wizards (Dec 7).
Losses: 140-129 vs. Thunder (Dec 30), defensive breakdowns; seven straight defeats, including 152-150 vs. Bulls (Dec 21).
Form: L-L-L-L-L-L-L-W-L-W (Dismal streak, poor defense allowing 130+ PPG; reliance on Young for 30+ PPG).
The Wolves’ +5.1 margin contrasts sharply with Atlanta’s defensive woes.
Series History
The Hawks hold a commanding all-time edge at 42-27 in 69 regular-season meetings. However, Minnesota has won the last two encounters, including 117-104 on Dec 23, 2024, and 109-106 on April 12, 2024. In the past 10 games, Atlanta leads 6-4. Games tend to be high-scoring lately, with the over hitting in 4 of the last 5. Atlanta’s last home win over Minnesota was Oct 30, 2023 (127-113).
Betting Trends
Spread: Wolves 6-4 ATS last 10; Hawks 1-4 ATS last 5.
Total Over/Under: Over in 6/10 Wolves games; over in 7/10 Hawks games, but unders in recent H2H.
Other Trends: MIN 6-4 SU last 10; 4-1 SU vs. East. ATL 0-7 SU last 7; 2-8 ATS last 10; 0-5 SU at home recently. Over in 4/5 recent series meetings.
Game Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves – 5.5
Atlanta Hawks 244.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 30, 2025
