Hawks Game 3: Oct. 27, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Final Score: ATL 104 – OKC 128
The Atlanta Hawks had control of this game for most of the first half, even taking a 56-46 lead in the middle of the second quarter. However, the Oklahoma City Thunder ended the frame on an 11-2 run to cut Atlanta’s halftime lead to just 58-57. Oklahoma City carried this momentum into the second half, scoring 72 points over the final 24 minutes. Cason Wallace and Chet Holmgren had major impacts defensively down the stretch, holding the Hawks to just 18 fourth-quarter points as the Thunder pulled away late.
Trae Young had a hot start with 15 first-half points but ended with 24 points, eight assists, and 10 turnovers. Jalen Johnson’s struggles from the field continued with just seven points on 3-13 from the field. Zaccharie Risacher got his first NBA start and put up 13 points and six rebounds.
Dyson Daniels defended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander well for three-quarters, but the MVP candidate found his groove in the final frame. He stuffed the stat sheet with 35 points, nine assists, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks. Holmgren dominated the paint with six blocks and 25 points, while Jalen Williams added 20 of his own.
Game 4: Oct. 28, 2024
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks
Final Score: WSH 121 – ATL 119
The Hawks suffered an ugly loss to the Washington Wizards at State Farm Arena for the second consecutive season. Even though Atlanta got off to a great start, forcing Washington into nine turnovers (seven steals) in the first frame, their defense in the second half let them down. Washington scored 67 points over the final 24 minutes to close out the home team. The Hawks had a chance to win the game on the final possession with a three, but Bilal Coulibaly forced Young into a tough fading three, sending Hawks fans home disappointed.
The Wizards caught fire from deep, shooting 21-44 as a team. Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma scored 26 (6-8 3PT) and 25 points (5-9 3PT), respectively, to lead their squad. Corey Kispert also chipped in off the bench with 21 points and shot 4-9 from downtown.
Young shot just 2-15 from the field for 14 points and did not make a field goal after the first quarter. Coulibaly displayed his high defensive ceiling throughout the contest, guarding Atlanta’s start guard. On the bright side for the Hawks, Johnson broke out of his slump in a big way with a career-high 29 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. With Bogdan Bogdanović (hamstring), De’Andre Hunter (knee), and Onyeka Okongwu (toe injury management) out, Garrison Mathews and Larry Nance Jr. stepped up off the bench for 14 and 15 points, respectively.
Game 5: Oct. 30, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards
Final Score: ATL 120 – WSH 133
After a promising 2-0 start to the campaign, the Hawks have dropped their last three games straight. Injuries are not helping Atlanta’s situation, but two straight losses to the Wizards are not a good look. Young struggled last game with 14 points, but he scored that many in the first quarter alone on Wednesday. The star point guard finished with 35 points and 15 assists, and Johnson added 21 points and 17 boards. While Atlanta performed well offensively, including Risacher with 17 points, they could not stop Washington in the second half.
The Wizards scored 76 points in the final two frames and 40 in the fourth quarter. Coulibaly dropped a career-high 27 points (11-14 FG) with nine rebounds and three steals, while Poole continued his hot start from deep with four threes and 24 points. Jonas Valančiūnas dominated in the paint off the bench for 22 points, eight boards, and six dimes.
Game 6: Nov. 1, 2024
Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks
Final Score: SAC 123 – ATL 115
De’Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan were too much for the Hawks to handle on Friday. Without Daniels and Hunter to slow them down, they scored 31 and 27 points, respectively, to take down the injury-depleted Hawks. Despite falling behind by 18 points in the third quarter, Atlanta stormed back to tie the game at 109 apiece with just under six minutes left. However, Fox and DeRozan immediately punched back with a 6-0 run to grab the lead for good.
After a slow start, Young delivered a stellar 25-point, 12-assist double-double, and Clint Capela added 15 points and 10 boards. Mathews and Keaton Wallace gave the Hawks huge lifts off the bench. Mathews shot 7-13 from deep for 23 points, while Wallace had 14 on 5-9 shooting.
Game 7: Nov. 4, 2024
Atlanta Hawks at New Orleans Pelicans
Final Score ATL 126 – NO 111
The Hawks blitzed the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half to take control of this game. Atlanta hit 11 of their first 13 shots in the third frame to go up double digits and seized the victory with a massive 14-0 run late in the fourth. The Hawks held the Pelicans to just 16 points with just under four minutes left in the game before New Orleans Head Coach Willie Green emptied his bench. Brandon Ingram tried to will his squad to victory with 32 points, but it was not enough. Zion Williamson (hamstring), Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), Herb Jones (shoulder), and Trey Murphy (hamstring) all missed this contest for the Pelicans.
Johnson shined for 29 points, nine boards, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks. After a six-point first half, Young got hot in the second, finished with 23 points, 12 assists, and committed just two turnovers. Nance and Daniels faced their former squad and put up 14 and 16 points, respectively, while Mathews, who hit three triples for 11 points, continues to provide a three-point spark off the bench in Bogdanović’s absence.
Key Injuries Have Hawks in Dire Position
For the second straight season, Atlanta’s injury bug hit hard. Their guard depth is now down to only two players: Young and Keaton Wallace, who are on a two-way contract.
Daniels is listed as day-to-day with a hip flexor strain, and Vít Krejčí (adductor) is out for at least two weeks. Bogdanović (hamstring) and Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Hunter has also missed the last three contests with a knee problem, and Atlanta has yet to release an update regarding its starting small forward. Risacher, David Roddy, and Mathews should continue to see increased minutes while players remain sidelined.
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