The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks meet Friday night at State Farm Arena for an NBA Cup East Group A showdown, with both teams entering at 4–4 and dealing with roster absences. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Atlanta will be without Trae Young, who remains sidelined with a right knee MCL sprain. His absence leaves a significant gap in playmaking and scoring for the Hawks, as he averaged 17.8 points and 7.8 assists through five games before the injury. Forward Nikola Djurisic is also out due to a right elbow sprain, while Eli John Ndiaye and Jacob Toppin remain inactive on G League two-way assignments.
The Hawks have leaned on Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis to carry the offensive load. Johnson leads the team with 20.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, while Porzingis adds 17.7 points and 6.2 rebounds. Zaccharie Risacher is averaging 11.3 points on efficient shooting, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to handle more playmaking duties in Young’s absence.
Toronto’s injury report remains light, but several players are unavailable due to G League assignments. Chucky Hepburn, A.J. Lawson, Alijah Martin, and Jonathan Mogbo are all listed as out, though none are part of the Raptors’ main rotation.
The Raptors have won four straight games after a slow 1–4 start, including a dominant 128–100 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday. Barnes and Barrett each scored 23 points in that win, while Jamal Shead recorded eight assists off the bench. Ingram leads Toronto with 21.1 points per game, while Barnes is close behind at 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.
Atlanta, meanwhile, has shown inconsistency through its first eight games but remains tied with Toronto atop the East Group A standings at 1–0. The Hawks earned their first home win of the season Tuesday, defeating Orlando 127–112 behind balanced scoring from Risacher, Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu.
