What happened: The Hawks fell behind 15-14 midway through the opening quarter. Atlanta struggled with early offensive execution, relying on heavy dribbling and settling for non-layup attempts in the paint.

Why it matters: Atlanta entered regular-season action aiming to establish offensive rhythm and cleaner shot selection after recent scoring lulls. Settling for contested floaters and mid-range paint looks early puts added pressure on the defensive unit to prevent opponents from creating separation.

What to watch: Atlanta will look to adjust its offensive spacing and generate higher-percentage looks at the rim as the game continues.