TORONTO — The Hawks will be without De’Andre Hunter for Friday night’s game against the Raptors. The Hawks forward now has missed three consecutive games as the team navigates with starters bouncing in and out of the lineup.

Hunter, who has experienced soreness in his right quad, has not played since the team’s matchup against the 76ers on Dec. 8, when he scored 24 points on 9-of-18 overall shooting, while knocking down four 3-point shots.

The team has used a mixture of Garrison Mathews and Wesley Matthews to start at small forward in Hunter’s absence.

But with Hunter out for multiple games and the team already missing Jalen Johnson, the Hawks’ lack of size in the front court is further exacerbated.

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Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (from left) guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7), forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) and guard Luke Kennard (3) react during the first half in a preseason NBA basketball game at State Farm Arena, Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Atlanta. Houston Rockets won 133-115 over the Hawks. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

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