The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Saturday evening to face the Charlotte Hornets. The Hawks were coming off a clutch win against the Utah Jazz a couple of days ago, with big help from Jock Landale, who made his debut with the team. The Hawks also will have some new players this time around, with Buddy Hield and Gabe Vincent being active.
As for the Hornets, they’re probably the hottest teams in the league, and they came in on a eight-game winning streak.
The Hawks were also able to get Onyeka Okongwu
back in the lineup.
The Hawks started the game hot from the three-point line, and Okongwu knocked down two of them early.
Zaccharie Risacher got in on the fun as well.
The Hawks kept the lead throughout the quarter, getting good shots on offense and stops on the defense.
Corey Kispert hit from deep later in the quarter, extending the Hawks’ lead.
The Hornets made a few plays late to cut their deficit, but the Hawks managed to counter with a few makes and went into the second quarter with a 35-32 lead.
Both teams went back and forth in the second quarter, and the Hawks kept getting good looks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker found Asa Newell for a lob.
Risacher continued his strong play through the second and made a play in the paint.
Alexander-Walker knocked down a three-pointer later in the quarter.
Things got a little physical late, with less than two minutes between Okongwu and Mousa Diabate, and they both received technical fouls.
Going into halftime, the Hawks and Hornets were tied at 60.
The Hornets took the lead to start the third, and were up by as much as seven points. That didn’t bother the Hawks, and they started a run that led them to taking the lead.
After a slow start to the game, Alexander-Walker found a groove in the third.
Johnson got a head full of steam on the fast break and got the and-one.
Risacher continued his hot shooting.
Though the Hawks fought back, the Hornets went on a run late in the quarter to take a 98-90 lead going into the fourth.
The Hawks went on a run to start the quarter, and Jock Landale knocked down a three-pointer to get it started.
Johnson continued to make play after play going downhill and nobody on the Hornets could stop him.
Risacher couldn’t miss from the three-point line.
The Hawks took the lead for a moment, but the Hornets got it back after getting several shots in the paint. The Hornets kept the lead late into the quarter, and the Hawks were able to get some stops to keep it a three-point deficit with 32.1 seconds remaining in the game.
Johnson was able to go to the free throw after getting fouled, and knocked down both to cut their deficit down to one point. The Hawks played the foul game from there, and LaMelo Ball knocked down both to give the Hornets a three-point led again.
The Hawks decided not to call a timeout after the free throws, and though Alexander-Walker was able to get a clean shot to tie the game, he missed. Brandon Miller went to the line and made both of his free throws, and the Hornets found themselves up 124-119 with 12 seconds left.
That ultimately led the Hawks to a loss and extended the Hornets’ win streak to nine games.
Johnson finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, Risacher finished with 18 points, and Okongwu finished with 16 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Monday to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
