Garrison Mathews
The sharpshooter who stretched the floor for Atlanta with consistent three-point shooting.
Garrison Mathews is an American professional basketball player who played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2023 to 2025. He was traded to Atlanta on February 9, 2023, alongside Bruno Fernando in exchange for Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and two future second-round draft picks. He made 66 appearances (five starts) for Atlanta during the 2023–24 NBA season, averaging 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists, and played in 47 games (including two starts) for the Hawks in the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
- team
- Free Agent
- status
- Not on Roster
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Garrison Mathews arrived in Atlanta on February 9, 2023, as part of a trade that sent Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and two future second-round draft picks to the Houston Rockets. He joined the Hawks alongside Bruno Fernando. His role grew the following season: during the 2023–24 campaign, he made 66 appearances (five starts) and averaged 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. In the 2024–25 NBA season, Mathews played in 47 games (two starts) and posted his best averages as a Hawk: 7.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. After the season, on September 16, 2025, Mathews signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks but was waived prior to the start of the regular season on October 18.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed over State Farm Arena as the game hung in the balance. The Hawks' offense stalled against a suffocating defense, but then the ball swung wide to the corner. Garrison Mathews caught it, his feet already set, eyes locked on the rim. There was no hesitation, only the practiced rhythm of thousands of repetitions. He released the shot just as the defender lunged, watching the orange sphere arc high and true before swishing through the net with a satisfying net-snap that echoed through the crowd.
Reader's Guide
Garrison Mathews operated primarily as a secondary scoring option and floor spacer for the Atlanta Hawks. His role was to punish teams that sagged off perimeter shooters, ensuring the defense could not collapse entirely on the paint. In terms of fit, he complemented the team's ball-dominant playmakers by providing gravity from deep range. When defenses overplayed the primary creators, Mathews was often the beneficiary of open looks in transition or off-ball screens. His key contribution lay in his shooting efficiency and reliability from three-point range. While he was not a primary creator, his ability to maintain a high scoring average made him a useful piece of the rotation for maintaining offensive flow.
Did You Know?
- Garrison Mathews was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on February 9, 2023, alongside Bruno Fernando in exchange for Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and two future second-round draft picks.
- Mathews made 66 appearances (five starts) for Atlanta during the 2023–24 NBA season, averaging 4.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists.
- In the 2024–25 NBA season, Mathews played in 47 games (two starts) for the Hawks and averaged a career-high 7.5 points per game with the team.
- After his time with Atlanta, Mathews signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the New York Knicks on September 16, 2025, but was waived on October 18, 2025.
- Mathews later signed a 10-day contract with the Indiana Pacers on November 20, 2025, after the team was granted a hardship exception.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Garrison Mathews?
Garrison Mathews was an American professional basketball player who served as a sharpshooter for the Atlanta Hawks from 2023 to 2025. He joined the team in February 2023 via trade and spent two seasons contributing off the bench before becoming a free agent.
What role did Mathews play on the Hawks?
His primary function was stretching the floor with consistent three-point shooting to create spacing for the team's stars. While he occasionally started, he mostly operated as a rotational wing who provided scoring depth without heavy ball-handling responsibilities.
How did Mathews perform statistically in Atlanta?
Over two seasons, his production increased from averaging 4.9 points per game in 2023–24 to 7.5 points per game in 2024–25. He also improved his rebounding and playmaking numbers during his second year with the franchise.
How did Garrison Mathews join the Atlanta Hawks?
He was acquired on February 9, 2023, as part of a trade that sent Bruno Fernando to Atlanta in exchange for Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and future draft picks. This move brought his shooting abilities directly into the Hawks' rotation.
Is Garrison Mathews currently on the Hawks roster?
No, Garrison Mathews is not currently on the Atlanta Hawks roster as he is a free agent following the 2024–25 season. His tenure with the team concluded after two years of service spanning 66 and 47 games respectively.