The Atlanta Hawks were in Oklahoma City on Monday evening to face the Thunder. The Hawks came into the game on a six-game losing streak, and they were looking to break that streak against one of the best teams in the league. It was going to be a tall task, as Trae Young and Jalen Johnson were both out for the game, meaning that it was next man up for the Hawks.
Vit Krejci was inserted into the starting lineup, and he did what he does best: make threes.
The only way the Hawks would have a chance is if they play good perimeter defense, and this play led them to an open three-pointer from Luke Kennard.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker got into his bag in the quarter and got an and-one in the process.
The Hawks were able to stay in the game with the Thunder through the quarter, and it’s because of the three-ball working well for them.
It was going to take a lot to stay with a team like this, and the Hawks got some shots to go down in the first quarter, even this half-court heave from Alexander-Walker at the buzzer to give them the lead going into the second.
The Hawks kept the pressure on the Thunder to start the second, and it was Keaton Wallace’s time to shine, knocking down a few three-pointers to extend their lead.
The Hawks continued to get good shots, and Onyeka Okongwu was big in the first half, doing everything for the team. It was a 10-point lead for the Hawks at one point, but just like the Thunder always do, they came back and made it a game.
Zaccharie Risacher joined in on the three-point fun, knocking two of them in the quarter.
Krejci kept the threes coming.
It was very crucial for the Hawks to finish off the first half on a strong note, and that’s exactly what they did, going into halftime with a 74-70 lead.
It was no surprise, but the Thunder came out in the third quarter and went on their run, while the Hawks couldn’t get much going. Alexander-Walker knocked down this shot to try and keep them afloat in the third.
A four-point lead for the Hawks turned into a 12-point deficit, and from there, they played from behind for most of the quarter. The Hawks did do their best to cut down their deficit, and Asa Newell was a part of the comeback.
Kennard came in with the four-point play to cut their deficit to three points.
Unfortunately, the Thunder extended their lead back to double digits to end the quarter, and the Hawks trailed 113-103 going into the fourth. Despite being down double digits, the Hawks continued to fight, and they used the three-ball to their advantage.
The Hawks’ defense was flying to start the fourth, and Daniels made it hard for Chet Holmgren to get anything.
Risacher kept the Hawks in it with this big shot.
Alexander-Walker came down minutes later and hit one himself.
The Hawks did everything they could, but the Thunder were just too hard to stop down the stretch, as they turned it up on both sides of the ball.
It was a valiant effort from the Hawks, especially with them being without their top two players.
Alexander-Walker finished with 30 points, Okongwu finished with 26 points and 14 rebounds, and Krejci finished with 18 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
