The Atlanta Hawks (20-25) travel to FedExForum to face the Memphis Grizzlies (18-23) in an NBA matchup on January 21, 2026, with tipoff at 8:00 PM ET. Both teams sit outside playoff positions, with the Hawks 10th in the Eastern Conference and the Grizzlies 11th in the Western Conference.
Current Situation
Atlanta enters this game on a four-game losing streak, with their recent performances representing some of their worst of the season. The Hawks suffered a defensive disaster against the Lakers, had their offense go cold in the fourth quarter against Portland, were blown out by the Celtics, and most recently missed their first 22 three-pointers in a close loss to the Bucks.
Memphis, meanwhile, just received a significant boost with the return of Ja Morant. In his return game, Morant delivered an impressive performance with 24 points and 13 assists in a dominant 126-109 victory over Orlando in London. However, the Grizzlies have won just 3 of their last 10 contests overall.
Key Player Statistics
| Player | Team | PPG | RPG | APG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Johnson | Hawks | 23.0 | 10.2 | 8.0 |
| Ja Morant | Grizzlies | 19.3 | - | 7.8 |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | Grizzlies | 18.8 | 5.5 | 1.8 |
| Santi Aldama | Grizzlies | 14.0 | 6.7 | 3.0 |
Home vs. Road Performance
| Team | Home Record | Road Record |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis Grizzlies | 9-11 | - |
| Atlanta Hawks | 7-13 | 13-12 |
Notably, Atlanta performs significantly better on the road (13-12) than at home (7-13), which could be a factor in tonight's matchup.
Injury Report
The Grizzlies are dealing with several injuries heading into this contest:
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Brandon Clarke | Out |
| Zach Edey | Out |
| Scotty Pippen Jr. | Out |
| Ty Jerome | Out |
| Santi Aldama | Questionable |
Head-to-Head History
Memphis and Atlanta have split their last two games against each other. In their most recent meeting at FedExForum, the Hawks secured a 132-130 victory. Both teams are 1-1 against the spread in these recent matchups.
Key Factors
The return of Ja Morant gives Memphis a significant boost, as his ability to push pace and create for teammates is central to the Grizzlies' offensive system. His 24-point, 13-assist performance against Orlando demonstrated he is healthy and effective.
However, the Grizzlies' injury situation is concerning, with multiple rotation players unavailable and Santi Aldama's status uncertain. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson has been outstanding for Atlanta, putting up near triple-double averages with 23.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game.
Atlanta's superior road performance compared to their home record, combined with the Hawks' recent competitive loss to the Bucks where Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 32 points and Johnson added 28, suggests they have the firepower to compete despite their losing streak.
Betting Context
Memphis is listed as a 1.5-point home favorite with the total set at 239.5 points, indicating oddsmakers expect a high-scoring, closely contested game.