Hawks vs Timberwolves Picks and Prediction: Johnson's Hawks Catch Minnesota on Zero Rest
Atlanta Hawks, sitting 9th in the Eastern Conference at 26-28, travel to face 6th-placed Minnesota at Target Center on Monday, February 9, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET. With the Timberwolves catching a brutal back-to-back after Sunday's 115-96 home loss to the Clippers and hemorrhaging 124+ points per game during a recent defensive collapse, this matchup pits a Hawks squad riding momentum (6-3 in last nine) and boasting the league's second-fastest pace against a Minnesota team on zero rest that's gone 3-6 over their last nine games, as Atlanta looks to complete the season series sweep after their 126-102 demolition in December when Jalen Johnson torched the Wolves for 34 points.
OC Staff - February 9, 2026, 7:30 PM EST
3 Minute ReadHawks vs Timberwolves Picks and Prediction: Johnson's Hawks Catch Minnesota on Zero Rest
Hawks vs Timberwolves Recent Performance
Atlanta sits 9th in the East at 26-28. Their most recent game ended in a 126-119 home loss to Charlotte on Saturday despite Jalen Johnson's 31-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist effort. The Hawks have gone 6-3 over their last nine games, showing resilience after a rough mid-season stretch. Atlanta has been money on the road this season, posting a 16-13 away record and covering at an 18-12 clip as underdogs.
Minnesota sits 6th in the West at 32-22. Their last game was a 115-96 home loss against the Clippers on Sunday afternoon, marking their third loss in the last four games. The Timberwolves have gone 3-6 over their last nine contests, with their defense turning into Swiss cheese—they've allowed 124+ points per game during this four-game skid. Rudy Gobert publicly called out the team's effort on defense, forcing coach Chris Finch to address it internally.
Hawks vs Timberwolves Head to Head
The last meeting between these teams was a December 31 blowout that saw Atlanta cruise 126-102 in their own building. Johnson torched Minnesota for 34 points on 15-for-22 shooting, exposing every gap in the Wolves defense. The Hawks hold the all-time series edge 42-27 dating back to the Timberwolves' inception. Minnesota's last win in this matchup came way back in April 2024 when they squeaked out a 109-106 home victory.
Atlanta Hawks vs Minnesota Timberwolves Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- How to Watch: FanDuel Sports Network
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Hawks vs Timberwolves Odds
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Hawks vs Timberwolves Team News
Atlanta enters Monday's matchup with significant injury uncertainty. Jalen Johnson was added to the injury report late with left knee inflammation and is questionable after logging 40 minutes Saturday. Dyson Daniels is questionable with right ankle inflammation sustained during Saturday's loss to the Hornets, when he played 31 minutes before tweaking the ankle. Jonathan Kuminga remains out with a left knee bone bruise suffered January 22 and won't make his Hawks debut until after the All-Star break at the earliest. If Johnson sits, Atlanta loses their engine—the first-time All-Star leads the team at 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the field.
Chris Finch's squad is dealing with their own issues beyond just the injury report. Minnesota has zero rest after Sunday's home loss to the Clippers, marking this as a brutal back-to-back spot. Terrence Shannon Jr. is out on G-League assignment after being cleared for contact following his left foot strain that's sidelined him since late December. Anthony Edwards (29.6 PPG) struggled shooting Sunday, going just 1-for-8 from deep against LA. The Wolves need Edwards to bounce back against Atlanta's 24th-ranked defense.
Prediction: Timberwolves 118, Hawks 114
This matchup features a Wolves team on zero rest and struggling defensively against a Hawks squad that's won 6 of their last 9 but might be missing their best player. Minnesota has home court and superior talent on paper, but Atlanta's second-fastest pace in the league could expose a Timberwolves defense that's allowed 124+ per game during their recent slide. The Hawks have covered at a 14-8 clip against Western Conference opponents and are 5-2 ATS with a rest advantage. Johnson dropped 34 on Minnesota in their first meeting, and even if he's limited, Atlanta's up-tempo style creates problems for a tired Wolves rotation. Edwards (29.6 PPG) needs to carry the offense against Sacramento's porous defense, while Julius Randle (17 points Sunday) handles the interior. Expect a high-scoring affair between two teams that can't stop anyone right now.
Best Bet: Hawks +6.5 (-105) Click here to get the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Minnesota on no rest is a problem. The Wolves are playing their third game in four nights, and they just got smoked 115-96 at home by the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard dropping 41. Atlanta brings pace, transition offense, and three-point volume (14.6 treys per game, fifth-best 37.2% clip). Johnson torched the Wolves for 34 in December, and even if he's limited with knee inflammation, the Hawks have enough firepower with Nickeil Alexander-Walker (3.1 threes per game) and Onyeka Okongwu (16.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG) to keep this close. Minnesota's 4-6 ATS record over their last 10 games tells you everything, they're not covering numbers in this funk. The Wolves defense ranks 11th overall but has cratered during this stretch, and Atlanta's tempo forces tired legs to run. Six points is too many for a Minnesota team that can't defend and hasn't figured out their offensive rhythm. Hawks have covered 14-8 vs the West and 18-12 as underdogs. Take the points.
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