The Atlanta Hawks are staying afloat in the new NBA In-Season Tournament

The in-season tournament ends on December 9th with a championship game in Las Vegas. Each conference has three groups of five teams -- Each team plays a four-game group stage in November, with the group winners advancing to the knockout rounds. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)

The Atlanta Hawks will play their third game of the NBA’s in-season tournament Tuesday night in Atlanta against Indiana. It’s an important game for the Hawks, which is not usual for this early in the season. However, that’s why the NBA started the in-season tournament this year.

The Hawks are 1-1 so far. They currently sit third in their group, including the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons. Fans and players gathered in the State Farm Arena on Nov. 17 to watch the Hawks play against the Philadelphia 76ers in their first home game of the special tournament.

“I feel like the players are competing harder,” said Hawks fan Schylar Harding. “And I think they’re really putting on a better show for the fans.”