The Hawks will need to fight off elimination twice just to qualify for the postseason — something no 10-seed has yet to do in the current Play-In Tournament format dating back to 2021. The winner will travel to play the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers-Miami Heat 7-seed versus 8-seed game. But the first step will be a matchup with the ninth-seeded Chicago Bulls in the United Center.
A Clash of Styles
The Bulls play at a deliberate halfcourt pace — 28th in the NBA — something that will be at odds with the Hawks’ fifth-fasted pace in the NBA.