Portland Trail Blazers vs. Atlanta Hawks: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel

What to know ahead of Thursday night's game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Atlanta Hawks

The Portland Trail Blazers will be without Damian Lillard again when they visit the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night. Lillard suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury and will be re-evaluated in 1-2 weeks. The Blazers have lost four consecutive games without Lillard in the lineup and will be looking to snap their losing streak against the Hawks. The Hawks have won two of their last three games and are currently tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Trae Young is averaging 27.5 points and 9.2 assists per game for the Hawks this season. John Collins is also having a strong season, averaging 18.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

Prediction

The Hawks are a slight favorite in this game, but the Blazers have won three of the last four meetings between the two teams. The Blazers will need to find a way to slow down Young and Collins if they want to win this game.

Time and TV channel

The game will be played at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on TNT.

Injury report

**Portland Trail Blazers:** * Damian Lillard (calf) - out **Atlanta Hawks:** * De'Andre Hunter (knee) - out

Key players to watch

**Portland Trail Blazers:** * Anfernee Simons * Jerami Grant * Jusuf Nurkic **Atlanta Hawks:** * Trae Young * John Collins * Dejounte Murray

X-factor

The X-factor in this game could be the health of Blazers forward Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic has been dealing with a foot injury and is questionable for Thursday's game. If Nurkic is unable to play, the Blazers will be without their starting center and will be at a significant disadvantage in the paint.