Last season, the Hawks made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals. This season, they'll have to win two Play-In games just to make the playoffs.
The Hawks finished the season with a 43-39 record, earning them the No. 9 seed. They'll face the 10th seeded Hornets in the first round of the Play-In Tournament. Whichever team wins will face the Cavaliers on Friday for a chance at the East's No. 8 seed.
The Hornets will be looking to prove themselves following their 27-point loss to the Pacers in the first round of last season's Play-In Tournament.
MORE: NBA Play-In Tournament, explained
The Hornets and Hawks split the season series, 2-2. Trae Young scored 30 points in one of Atlanta's wins while Clint Capela's 20-point, 15-rebound double-double led the Hawks to victory in the other. LaMelo Ball flirted with a triple-double in one of Charlotte's wins while Miles Bridges scored a game-high 32 points in the other.
If the Hawks or Hornets qualify for the playoffs, they'll face the Heat in the first round.
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What channel is Hawks vs. Hornets on?
- Date: Wednesday, April 13
- TV channel: ESPN (US), TSN (Canada)
- Live stream: Watch ESPN (US), TSN Direct (Canada)
Hawks vs. Hornets will be broadcast live on ESPN. You can live-stream the game via Watch ESPN. In Canada, viewers can watch Hawks vs. Hornets on TSN.
Viewers in the U.S. can stream all of the NBA postseason action live on Sling TV. With the Sports Extra package, get $10 off your first month now with access to ESPN, ESPN2, TNT and NBATV on Sling TV, the cheapest and most affordable viewing option for the NBA playoffs.
MORE: Watch the NBA playoffs on Sling TV (U.S. only)
In Canada, you can stream the game on TSN Direct.
Hawks vs. Hornets start time
- Date: Wednesday, April 13
- Start time: 7:00 p.m. ET | 4:00 p.m. PT
The 7:00 p.m. ET tipoff marks the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader. Spurs vs. Pelicans will be broadcast live on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET.
How does the NBA Play-In Tournament work?
- The NBA Play-In Tournament will be held after the conclusion of the 2021-22 regular season and before the start of the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in the standings of each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots. Teams Nos. 7-10 will enter the Play-In Tournament.
- Each conference's Nos. 7 and 8 teams will face off, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will still have one more opportunity to reach the playoffs.
- Each conference's Nos. 9 and 10 teams will face off, with the winner advancing to play the loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game. The loser of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- The loser of the No. 7-vs.-No. 8 game and the winner of the No. 9-vs.-No. 10 game will then play against each other. The winner of that game will be the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. The loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.
- Beyond the Play-In Tournament, the 2022 NBA Playoffs will follow the typical format, with full best-of-seven series all the way through the NBA Finals.
NBA Play-In Tournament schedule
April 12
| Game |
| Nets 115, Cavaliers 108 |
| Timberwolves 109, Clippers 104 |
April 13
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Hornets vs. Hawks | 7 p.m. | ESPN, TSN |
| Spurs vs. Pelicans | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN, SN 360 |
April 15
| Game | Time (ET) | National TV |
| TBD vs. Cavaliers | TBD | ESPN |
| TBD vs. Clippers | TBD | TNT |
