Hawks Routed by Raptors in 138-118 Season-Opening Defeat
hawks-routed-by-raptors-season-opener
The Atlanta Hawks opened the 2025-26 NBA season with a stinging 138-118 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena, a game star guard Trae Young labeled “embarrassing.”
Toronto dominated every major category, outscoring Atlanta 86-56 in the paint, 34-11 on the break and finishing with a 20-rebound advantage. The Raptors’ 138 points set a franchise record for an opening night and eclipsed their highest total from last season.
Young finished with 22 points and five assists but went 1-for-7 from three-point range. “I don’t think there’s too many positives you can take from tonight,” he said. “The continuity wasn’t right. We’ve got to get it going.”
Forward Jalen Johnson, playing his first game since shoulder surgery in February, matched Young with 22 points and added eight assists and seven rebounds. New arrival Kristaps Porzingis contributed 20 points, seven rebounds and two blocks in his Hawks debut.
Reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels battled early foul trouble and scored four points, while offseason addition Nickeil Alexander-Walker shot 2-for-15 and finished with 10.
“Rotation’s got to be better,” Johnson said. Head coach Quin Snyder echoed the need to shore up transition defense as the Raptors shot 56.8 percent from the field.
RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes each made nine field goals and combined for 47 points to pace Toronto.
The Hawks’ challenging opening stretch continues with nine of their next 14 games on the road. They visit the Orlando Magic on Friday before hosting the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
Source: ESPN
