Hawkscast: Raptors Sweep Hawks for the 2025-26 Season
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 100-118 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Toronto dominated the points in the paint, 64-44, and the transition game, 29-16, to sweep the season series. Mikey and Tim also give their thoughts on the latest reporting surrounding the Trae Young trade situation.
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Wizardscast: Is Tre Johnson as Good as Rookie…
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/is-tre-johnson-a…rookie-ray-allen/
Dave compares Ray Allen’s rookie season to that of Tre Johnson, revisits the 2024 NBA Draft, and discusses a painful loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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What the Hawks Lose Defensively Without Kristaps Porziņģis…
The past two weeks have made one thing clear for the Atlanta Hawks. Kristaps Porziņģis is vital to their defensive success. His absence not only altered lineups but reshaped how opponents attack Atlanta on a possession-by-possession basis.
The Hawks dropped seven straight games without Porziņģis in the lineup. Those losses followed a consistent pattern. Opponents comfortably attacked the paint, guards turned the corner with less resistance, and backline rotations arrived a step too slow. The effort level remained competitive, but Atlanta lacked the structural support behind its defense.
Porziņģis’ defensive value starts at the rim. At 7-foot-3-inches tall, his presence alone deters drives and forces offenses to settle for pull-up jumpers rather than shots at the basket. Without him, Atlanta’s defensive margin for error narrowed significantly. Onyeka Okongwu was forced to cover more ground, switching onto perimeter players while still anchoring the paint. That workload stretched the defense thin, especially late in games.
Kristaps Porzingis now ranks as the fifth-most impactful player in the NBA this season with a +6.0 EPM 👀 pic.twitter.com/J1wNJnwDlb
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) January 1, 2026
The Hawks’ seven-game losing streak without Porziņģis highlighted that strain. Defensive possessions became longer. Second-chance opportunities increased. Teams generated cleaner looks late in the shot clock because Atlanta lacked a backline eraser waiting at the rim. Those small breakdowns compounded, turning manageable stretches into decisive runs for opponents.
The contrast was immediate when Porziņģis returned on Dec. 31. Atlanta won both games he played against the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks, and they held New York to a season low 99 points. The defensive tone changed quickly. Ball handlers hesitated at the free-throw line, and help defenders stayed home on shooters. Okongwu was freed to play more aggressive defense away from the rim, knowing there was size behind him in the lineup.
Kristaps Porzingis Defense Tape 1/2 vs NYK
~ 8 Points Allowed
~ Held Opponents to 4/10 FG
– 2 StealsATL On/Off Def Rating w/KP (via @PivotFade)
– 17 Minutes
– On Court Def Rating: 86.8
– Off Court Def Rating: 100Thoughts on his defense tonight? pic.twitter.com/vpVLj0DHcq
— Hoopology (@hoopologyxx) January 3, 2026
Those two wins reinforced how the Hawks are built. This roster is designed to defend in layers. Okongwu provides mobility, switching, and physicality, while Porziņģis gives length, rim protection, and vertical deterrence. Together, they allow Atlanta to pressure the ball without overcommitting and protect the paint without collapsing the perimeter.
That balance was missing against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 3. With Porziņģis sidelined, the Hawks fell once more. The loss was not about effort or execution alone. It was about defensive sustainability. Toronto attacked downhill, forced rotations, and capitalized on Atlanta’s lack of rim protection, scoring 60 points in the paint.
Defensive possessions define winning basketball late in the season. Over the last two weeks, Atlanta’s defense has shown it can survive without Porziņģis for short stretches, but survival is not the same as consistency. The seven-game losing streak exposed how quickly the defense slips when one piece is missing. The two wins with Porziņģis back underscored how much cleaner everything looks when the frontcourt is intact.
This stretch has clarified the Hawks’ formula. Okongwu raises the defensive floor with effort and versatility. Porziņģis raises the ceiling by eliminating entire sections of the floor. When both are healthy, Atlanta can defend with confidence rather than caution.
Hawkscast: Defense, 4th-Quarter Turnovers Sink Hawks Against Raptors
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 117-134 loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Hawks gave up 60 points in the paint, and their defense struggled throughout the night. An 11-point, seven-turnover fourth quarter sunk Atlanta’s comeback chances. Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the team with 30 and 31 points, respectively.
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Wizardscast: Block Party: Sarr Leads Wizards Past Bucks…
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/block-party-sarr…t-bucks-and-nets/
The Wizards beat both Milwaukee and the Brooklyn Nets this week – and the momentum is picking up! Dave discusses the way the young core is playing, the environment at the booth and the history that Bub Carrington is part of!
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Hawkscast: Hawks Hold Off Knicks For First Win…
Tim and Chris break down the Hawks’ big 111–99 win over the Knicks, highlighted by a standout night from Onyeka Okongwu. With Trae Young sidelined, Okongwu stepped up in a major way—finishing with 23 points and 9 rebounds, knocking down a pair of timely threes, and bringing nonstop energy on both ends of the floor. The guys also hand out their 3 Keys for the Hawks to secure another win on the second night of a back-to-back as they head to Toronto tomorrow night.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Snap Skid With Blowout Win Over…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 126-102 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hawks turned in a much-needed dominant defensive performance, holding Minnesota to 43% shooting. Jalen Johnson totaled 34 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 15-of-22 from the field to lead Atlanta.
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Wizardscast: The Wizards Top 5 Moments of 2025!
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/the-wizards-top-5-moments-of-2025/
Dave discusses the Wizards Top 5 moments of 2025: big trades, new draft picks and surprising wins on the road.
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Hawkscast: Shorthanded Hawks Crumble Late Against Thunder for…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 129-140 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Kristaps Porziņģis missed this game for Atlanta. The Hawks tied their franchise record with 25 threes in the game to keep it close, but Oklahoma City scored 70 points in the paint to counter.
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Wizardscast: Back to Back: Wizards Win Their Second…
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/back-to-back-wiz…nd-game-in-a-row/
Wizards win their second in a row, this time against Memphis! Dave discusses the big victory, Tre Johnson’s first start and the youth movement in Washington.
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Hawkscast: Hawks Have Winless Homestand After Falling to…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey recap the Atlanta Hawks’ 125-128 loss to the New York Knicks. Atlanta gave up 19 offensive rebounds for 23 New York second-chance points. The Hawks were down 18 points late in the third frame, but their comeback just fell short on the final possession.
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Wizardscast: Wizards Score 138 and WIN: Young Core…
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/wizards-score-13…ng-core-delivers/
Dave breaks down the joy of having the Wizards win by 20 – a great game for Bilal, Kyshawn, Alex Sarr, Tre Johnson, Will Riley and the entire Wizards core!
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Hawkscast: Hawks Fall to Heat for 5th Straight…
In this episode, Tim and Mikey break down the Atlanta Hawks’ 111-126 loss to the Miami Heat. The Hawks committed 21 turnovers against the fastest-paced team in the league- not a recipe for winning basketball. Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points, while Jalen Johnson added 24 points, 10 assists, and nine boards. Norman Powell led Miami with 25 points, and Pelle Larsson scored a career-high 21.
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Wizardscast: #1 Picks Are Thriving – Wizards are…
https://bleav.com/shows/the-sportsethos-washington-wizards-podcast/episodes/1-picks-are-thri…ds-are-surviving/
Dave discusses the success of Cooper Flagg and Wemby – not Wizards – while the Wizards mid-lottery picks struggle. Additionally, Dave reflects on the Wizards getting a rare win!
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