What happened: The Atlanta Hawks hold a sizable lead over the rest of the NBA in total assists early in the 2026-27 season. The league-leading passing volume comes despite recurring ball-security mistakes and errant passes.

Why it matters: Atlanta entered Friday at 7-5 through 12 games, holding fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Generating consistent ball movement remains central to the offense even through stretches of erratic execution.

What to watch: Atlanta looks to maintain its high-volume passing while tightening ball control through the remainder of its November slate.