Here’s five things to know on Thursday:

1. Hawks lose Game 5

After a hard-fought game, the Hawks fell to the Washington Wizards 103-99 on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Chris Vivlamore recaps how the Hawks lost and what they must do to survive elimination in Game 6. The series will return to Atlanta on Friday. Game 6 is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. from Philips Arena.

2. Braves snap six-game losing streak

With an 8-2 win over the New York Mets on Wednesday night, the Braves finally broke their losing streak. David O'Brien recaps the performance of pitcher Julio Teheran, the Braves' five-run first-inning and the injury to Brandon Phillips. The Braves (7-12) face the Mets once again on Thursday afternoon from Citi Field in Queens, NY. The game is set to begin at 1:10 p.m.

3. The NFL Draft begins tonight

The 2017 NFL Draft begins on Thursday night with Round 1 selections. The Falcons have the 31st overall pick. Tim Tucker analyzes a few mock drafts and who the Falcons are most likely to select in Round 1. Here's a few things to know about the Draft and what's being said about the nation's top prospects.

4. What to know about the Falcons on Draft Day

D. Orlando Ledbetter breaks down the top five things to know about the Falcons on Draft Day including who's on the Falcons' radar and the newest trade rumors involving the Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

5. ESPN lays off nearly 100 employees

On-air personalities and sports writers were among those affected in Wednesday's mass lay off at ESPN. Those affected include NFL reporter Ed Werder, NFL analyst Trent Dilfer, MLB reporter Jayson Stark and college basketball reporter Dana O'Neil. Many of those laid off wrote messages of thanks to ESPN and to viewers.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Dream forward Brionna Jones (24) cuts between Indiana Fever guard Shey Peddy (5) and forward Brianna Turner (11) in the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Credit: AP

Featured

Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

Credit: NYT