The Atlanta Hawks suffered a disappointing loss against the Phoenix Suns, ending the game 123-115 after a strong first half. Despite shooting an impressive 67% from three-point range early on, their performance dwindled in the second half, hitting only 3 out of 14 attempts. Defensively, they struggled to contain Bradley Beal and Grayson Allen, both of whom torched their perimeter defense.

Looking ahead, the Hawks face a formidable challenge against the second-seeded Houston Rockets, who boast a 25-12 record. The Rockets play at a frenetic pace and rely heavily on their athleticism, led by Jalen Green's scoring prowess and Alperen Sengun's all-around contributions. Both teams are ranked similarly in various statistics, but Houston has a significant advantage defensively, which could pose problems for Atlanta's shooting-dependent strategy.