The Brooklyn Nets (15-40) travel to State Farm Arena this afternoon, Sunday, February 22, 2026, to face the Atlanta Hawks (27-31) in a critical Eastern Conference clash. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM ET as the Nets look to end a disappointing four-game road losing streak and avoid a season sweep by the Hawks.
Game Preview: A Battle of Momentum
Atlanta enters today’s contest as the favorite, having already secured two victories against Brooklyn earlier this season. The Hawks are looking to bounce back from a 128-97 blowout loss to the Miami Heat on Friday. Despite their sub-.500 record, Atlanta remains firmly in the play-in tournament hunt, while the Nets have shifted their focus toward a “traditional tank,” starting multiple 19-year-old rookies as they eye a high lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Brooklyn’s recent struggles continued Friday night in Oklahoma City, where they fell 105-86 to the Thunder. The Nets’ offense has sputtered lately, failing to cross the 90-point mark in their last outing. Head coach Jordi Fernández will be looking for more consistency from his young core as they face an Atlanta defense that has been vulnerable throughout the season.
Head-to-Head History and Betting Odds
The historical rivalry between these two franchises leans in favor of the Hawks. In 200 regular-season meetings, Atlanta holds a 108-92 all-time lead. This season, the Hawks are 2-0 against the Nets and have covered the spread in both matchups.
- Spread: Atlanta Hawks -8.5
- Over/Under: 226.5 points
- Moneyline: Atlanta -350, Brooklyn +280
Betting trends suggest a lower-scoring affair, with experts at Covers.com predicting a comfortable win for Jalen Johnson and the Hawks despite a projected low total score. The Nets are 1-0 against the spread in their most recent head-to-head meeting, providing some hope for Brooklyn bettors.
Key Storylines to Watch
1. The Youth Movement: Brooklyn is leaning heavily into its rebuild, giving significant minutes to rookies like Nolan Traoré. Fans are watching closely to see if the young roster can handle the veteran presence of Atlanta’s backcourt.
2. Hawks Home Struggles: Despite being the better team on paper, Atlanta has struggled to maintain consistency at State Farm Arena. Today’s “Kids Day” game, featuring shoe charm giveaways and family-friendly events, provides a festive backdrop for a team desperate to improve its home record.
3. Injury Reports: Both teams are managing late-season fatigue. The Nets remain short-handed, while Atlanta is monitoring the health of their starting rotation following a physical back-to-back stretch earlier in the week.
How to Watch: TV and Live Stream
Fans can catch the action on local networks or via streaming services. The game will be broadcast on YES Network for Brooklyn viewers and Bally Sports Southeast for those in the Atlanta market.
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
- Streaming: Fubo (Free Trial available), NBA League Pass
As the Nets look to play spoiler and the Hawks fight for postseason positioning, today’s matinee offers a glimpse into the different trajectories of these two Eastern Conference franchises.