Hawks Game 39: Jan. 14, 2024
Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks
Final Score: PHX 117 – ATL 122
The short-handed Atlanta Hawks took down a healthy Phoenix Suns team behind impressive performances from Trae Young and Onyeka Okongwu. Young took a season-high 31 shots for 43 points and hit 6-12 from beyond the arc. Jalen Johnson (right shoulder inflammation) and De’Andre Hunter (left foot soreness), two of Atlanta’s top three scorers, missed the contest. This meant Young had to shoulder a heavy load offensively.
“Tonight was one of those nights where we needed his [Young] scoring,” said Head Coach Quin Snyder after the game. Young delivered, registering a season-high 41.7% usage for the game.
Okongwu arguably had the best game of his career. The Hawks’ center recorded his first 20-20 game with 22 points and 21 rebounds. He shot 9-14 from the field. Whether it was Mason Plumlee or Oso Ighodaro, Okongwu dominated in the paint. He was the main catalyst behind the Hawks winning the glass, 54-37, including 20 offensive boards.
Garrison Mathews and Vít Krejčí also came through with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Young, Mathews, and Krejčí combined to shoot 14-26 from deep.
Everything went through Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in Phoenix’s offense. Durant totaled 31 points, eight boards, six assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Booker had 35 points with three steals.
Game 40: Jan. 15, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
Final Score: ATL 110 – CHI 94
The Hawks pulled off an improbable win over the Chicago Bulls to start a three-game road trip. Atlanta’s starting five included Keaton Wallace, Dyson Daniels, Krejčí, David Rodd,y and Clint Capela. Young (rib), Johnson (shoulder), Hunter (foot) and Zaccharie Risacher (adductor) missed this contest. This group includes the top three Hawks scorers and starting small forward. However, the visitors still blew out a healthier Bulls squad.
Daeqwon Plowden and Wallace, on two-way contracts, led the way for the visitors. Plowden explained his pre-game mindset to Tabitha Turner of FanDuel SportsNetwork.
“I think I was just prepared to come in and do whatever it takes to get a W, and my teammates supported me in every shot I took…” said the 26-year-old rookie.
Plowden made his first seven shots, finishing 7-8 from the field, for 19 points (5-6 3PT) in his NBA debut. Wallace recorded his career high in the first half, totaling 27 points, six assists, six rebounds, and four steals. Okongwu collected his second-straight double-double with 14 points, 13 boards and a career-high seven dimes. Daniels added 18 points with eight rebounds and three steals.
Chicago only reached the 25-point mark in the first and third quarters. At the beginning of the second quarter, the Hawks went on a 15-2 run to create all the separation they needed for a wire-to-wire win. While Atlanta shot 41% from the field, the Bulls turned the ball over 20 times, resulting in the loss.
Game 41: Jan. 18, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics
Final Score in Overtime: ATL 119 – BOS 115
The Hawks took down the Boston Celtics for the second time this season at TD Garden. Boston had the ball leading 103-100 with 21 seconds left, but Jrue Holiday threw Jaylen Brown a risky pass, resulting in a turnover. Then Young knocked down two free throws, cutting Boston’s lead to one. Jayson Tatum missed a foul shot on the other end, and Young calmly swished two free throws to tie the game. Tatum missed a mid-range fall-away to send the game to overtime.
After both teams exchanged four consecutive three-point possessions late in overtime, Atlanta led 116-115 with less than one minute left. Okongwu came up with a clutch block on Brown and grabbed the offensive rebound when Johnson missed both of his free throws on the other end.
ONYEKA OKONGWU pic.twitter.com/TjAyCP7lwh
— Hawks On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Hawks) January 19, 2025
The Hawks’ center knocked down both free throws after Boston was forced to foul. Tatum missed a contested game-tying three, and Johnson sealed the win at the stripe.
Neither team found success from beyond the arc. Atlanta shot 9-37, while Boston finished 15-52. However, the Hawks dominated the points in the paint, 60-42, to propel them to victory.
Johnson returned after a five-game absence, giving the Hawks a lift on the wing with his size and athleticism. He finished with 13 rebounds and 14 points. Young had 28 points and 11 dimes, while Daniels scored 23 points on 11-14 from the field. Okongwu collected his third-straight double-double with 19 points, 13 boards and four blocks.
Tatum scored 23 points (7-21 FG), and Brown totaled 24 points on 9-27 shooting. Derrick White had 21 points, while Payton Pritchard ended with 20 points after having just two at halftime.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
