The Atlanta Hawks really need a bounce-back win after dropping a tough one to the Orlando Magic, 114-108, on Thursday night. Sitting at 26-30, they’re still in the Play-In mix, but their inconsistency has been a problem all season. A loss to the 10-47 Detroit Pistons on Sunday wouldn’t just be frustrating—it would mean losing the season series to one of the worst teams in the league.

Atlanta’s biggest issue? Defense. They’re sitting at 15th in defensive rating, and injuries haven’t made things any easier. Jalen Johnson has been a huge loss. He was putting up 18.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists before going down, and the team is still trying to adjust without him. Now, they’ve got to deal with a Pistons team that just hung 125 points on the Spurs. If the Hawks want to avoid another disappointing loss, they’ll need to step it up on both ends of the floor.

Trae Young’s Injury Status Looms Large

The Hawks are still without Vit Krejci and Larry Nance Jr. Nance’s absence has been especially tough since their frontcourt was already thin. That means more responsibility for Onyeka Okongwu (12.1 PPG, 8.0 RPG) and Zaccharie Risacher (11.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG). Atlanta’s defense has managed to stay league-average despite the injuries, but slowing down Detroit’s bigs is going to be a real challenge.

One bright spot? Dyson Daniels. This guy has been everywhere on defense, leading the NBA in deflections and averaging 3.0 steals per game. He’s taken on the toughest matchups every night and is a big reason why the Hawks’ defense hasn’t completely collapsed. The problem is, without Jalen Johnson, he’s not getting much help on the perimeter.

The biggest question mark is Trae Young, who’s dealing with right Achilles tendinitis. He’s listed as probable, and let’s be real—the Hawks need him. He’s their engine, leading the team with 24.0 points and 11.4 assists per game. If he’s good to go, Atlanta should have enough offense to take care of business. But if he’s limited or has to sit out, guys like Daniels and Okongwu will have to step up big time.

On the other side, the Pistons will be without Tolu Smith and Jaden Ivey (leg), which is a huge blow for them. Jaden was averaging 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.0 assists, so without him, all eyes will be on Cade Cunningham. He just dropped 25 points against the Spurs, and with Atlanta’s defense struggling, expect him to be aggressive.

Dyson Daniels’ Defensive Player of the Year Case Gains Traction

With Victor Wembanyama officially done for the season, the Defensive Player of the Year race is wide open. And guess what? Dyson Daniels is sneaking into the conversation. No guard has won the award since Marcus Smart in 2022, but Daniels’ defensive impact is impossible to ignore. He’s leading the league in steals and deflections, and he’s constantly locking up the opposing team’s best player.

The biggest thing working against him? The Hawks’ defense as a whole. They’re only ranked 15th, and their record isn’t exactly helping his case either. Historically, DPOY winners come from elite defensive teams, so if Daniels wants to make a real push, Atlanta needs to tighten up down the stretch.

Another factor? Those signature defensive performances that voters remember. He’s got a chance to make a statement when he faces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on February 28. If he can shut him down, it could be a turning point for his campaign. Even if he doesn’t win the award, he’s pretty much a lock for an All-Defensive First Team selection, which is a huge accomplishment.

Since Trae Young is probable to play, the Hawks should be in a good spot to not embarrass themselves against Detroit. While Dyson Daniels has also made a name for himself as one of the league’s best defenders, this game also features another intriguing storyline as well. Meanwhile on the opposite side, Cade Cunningham will attempt to lead the Pistons without Jaden Ivey, and that is no easy job. This could be a key game for Atlanta in the playoff race.