The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Saturday evening to face the Sacramento Kings. The Hawks were coming into this game after a tough loss against the Boston Celtics yesterday, and they were looking to get back on track against a team who hasn’t played well.
The Kings have had a long injury list throughout the season, but the Hawks came into this game with a few of their own. Dyson Daniels, Jonathan Kuminga, and Onyeka Okongwu were ruled out for this game.
Mohamed Gueye got the start this evening,
as the Hawks decided to go with a big lineup.
Jalen Johnson made easy work of the lineup as well, getting a drive to the rim for two easy points.
Both teams went back and forth throughout the quarter, with the Hawks having the biggest lead at five. Zaccharie Risacher came off the bench and knocked down a few shots to keep the team afloat.
The Kings ended up with the lead going into the second.
It wasn’t the best start for the Hawks in the second, as the Kings extended their lead. The Hawks stayed close throughout the quarter, but the Kings found a way to always get a shot, thanks to DeMar DeRozan. They were eventually able to tie it up after Johnson found Jock Landale for this shot.
The Hawks opened up the quarter from there and went on a huge run. Nickeil Alexander-Walker knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead.
McCollum got shifty at the end of the half to get to his bread and butter, and the Hawks went into halftime with a 66-54 lead.
The Hawks continued their ball movement in the secod half, and Alexander-Walker went between the legs for this pass to Johnson.
The Hawks maintained their lead throughout the quarter, but the Kings snuck up just a little bit down the stretch. They led 88-82 going into the fourth.
Gueye opened up the fourth with a three-pointer.
The Kings stayed with it, and they were able to cut down their deficit and eventually tie the game. The Hawks woke up from there, and Johnson gave the team five straight points. After that, he assisted Alexander-Walker on a three-pointer to give the Hawks an eight-point lead.
The Hawks built a double digit lead, and they were on a roll down the stretch. Landale got in on the fun with this three-pointer.
The Hawks were able to get stops down the stretch as well that helped them maintain their lead, and they walked away with another win.
Alexander-Walker finished with 27 points, Johnson finished with 26 points and 10 assists, Landale finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, and McCollum finished with 22 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Monday to face the Boston Celtics.
