Hawks Game 15: Nov. 18, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Sacramento Kings
Final Score: ATL 109 – SAC 108
The Atlanta Hawks started their West Coast trip with a one-point victory over the Sacramento Kings. Jalen Johnson was a late scratch with lower lateral left leg inflammation, and the Kings were without Domantas Sabonis and DeMar DeRozan due to back injuries. De’Aaron Fox had the chance to send Kings fans home happy on the last possession. However, De’Andre Hunter forced the star guard to the baseline, and Dyson Daniels got the game-winning block to seal the win.
DYSON DANIELS CLUTCH DEFENSE 🔒
Comes up with the HUGE block to seal the win for @ATLHawks! pic.twitter.com/SM2ImNOjZO
— NBA (@NBA) November 19, 2024
Despite Sacramento making 20 of their 42 triples, including nine from Keon Ellis, the Hawks won behind their strong defensive performance in the second half. They held the Kings to 42 points, including just 15 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta finished with 34 assists on 39 field goals behind a passing clinic from Trae Young. He only took seven shots but dished out an NBA season-high 19 assists compared to only five turnovers.
Hunter led the Hawks’ scoring with 24 points, and Zaccharie Risacher broke out of a shooting slump for 18 points and three triples. Daniels posted huge steal numbers last week, but he switched it up tonight, collecting four blocks, 14 points, and eight rebounds. Clint Capela double-doubled with 14 points and 14 boards. Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) made his first appearance of the season, and Bogdan Bogdanović (hamstring) returned for the first time since opening night.
Fox continued his strong run with 28 points and seven dimes, but Ellis stole the show. He dropped a career-high 33 points, hitting his first six threes on the night.
Game 16: Nov. 20, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Golden State Warriors
Final Score: ATL 97 – GSW 120
Disaster struck in the opening quarter at the Chase Center for the Hawks. The Golden State Warriors went on a massive 23-2 run to open up a 41-22 lead after 12 minutes. The Warriors got easy looks in the paint off curl screens and shot 15-25 from the field in the first. Atlanta spent the rest of the game playing catch-up, but their offense struggled mightily.
The Hawks shot 33.3% from the field, 26.7% from deep, and 62.5% at the free throw line. Even though they grabbed 21 offensive rebounds, they could not convert. Atlanta went on a 12-1 run in the third and briefly cut the deficit to 13 points in the fourth frame, but Golden State countered immediately to put the game out of reach.
No one in the Hawks’ nine-man rotation reached 50% shooting. After missing the last contest, Johnson collected 15 points and 14 rebounds, but there were few bright spots for Atlanta.
Stephen Curry (7-10 FG) and Andrew Wiggins (12-17 FG) had efficient 23 and 27-point performances, respectively. Trayce Jackson-Davis impressed with 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 22 minutes.
Game 17: Nov. 22, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls
Final Score: ATL 122 – CHI 136
Emirates NBA Cup Record: 2-1
The Hawks ended their four-game road trip with a 1-3 record after losing to the Chicago Bulls. They have one more NBA Cup game remaining against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday next week. Atlanta sits second in Group C with a 2-1 record and a -1 point differential.
🏆 Warriors clinch West Group C
🏆 Rockets & Bucks move to 2-0#EmiratesNBACup continues Tuesday, 11/26! pic.twitter.com/uYCU3ilfAY— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2024
It was a fairly slow offensive start for the top two teams in pace this season. Chicago took a 58-51 lead into halftime. It was a different story in the second.
Hawks fans are familiar with opposing teams getting hot from beyond the arc. Chicago shot 44.2% and made 19 threes on the night. The Bulls scored 78 points over the final 24 minutes, including going 13-22 from deep. Atlanta managed to score 71 second-half points. However, the Hawks lost the three-point battle by 27 points. Even though Atlanta grabbed nine more offensive rebounds, it was not enough to keep up with the Bulls’ threes.
Young and Johnson led the way for the Hawks with double-doubles. The star guard had 25 points and 13 assists, while Johnson finished with 25 points and 13 boards. Capela dropped a season-high 21 points with 11 rebounds, and Bogdanović, who went 4-8 from deep for 16 points, found his rhythm since returning from his hamstring injury.
Chicago had a balanced offensive attack. Every starter scored at least 18 points, led by Zach LaVine (26), Nikola Vučević (20) and Coby White (20).
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