Hawks Fall in Preseason Opener, Set Sights on Grizzlies and Fan Fest

The Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122–113 in the 2025 preseason opener Monday night at the Toyota Center.

Houston’s Alperen Şengün led the way with 19 points, pacing a balanced Rockets attack. For Atlanta, guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker made a strong impression in his Hawks debut, scoring 13 points and showing confidence on both ends of the floor.

Despite the loss, the Hawks displayed flashes of chemistry and effort as head coach Quinn Snyder continues to experiment with different rotations early in the preseason. Atlanta’s length and versatility were evident throughout the night, and the team’s energy stayed consistent as they begin to build toward regular-season form.

Preseason action continues this Saturday, October 11, when the Hawks travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies at FedExForum.

Before hitting the road, the Hawks will connect with their fanbase in a big way. On Thursday evening, State Farm Arena will host the 2025 Hawks Fan Fest presented by CareSource, offering fans a fun and unique look at this year’s roster through on-court drills, shooting contests, and interactive activities.

The event will feature a special performance by hip-hop artist Roscoe Dash, as well as appearances from Brandolynn Yarbrough, Life Services Manager at CareSource, and the Hawks Entertainment team, including the ATL Dancers, Flight Crew, and Harry the Hawk.

Tickets are just $5 and available now at Ticketmaster.com, with all proceeds benefiting the Atlanta Hawks Foundation.

With the preseason underway and fan excitement building, the Hawks are focused on continuing their development—on the court and in the community—as they gear up for the 2025–26 season.