The Atlanta Hawks were in Sacramento on Wednesday night to face the Kings as their west coast road trip continues. The Hawks were able to get a nail-biting win on Monday against the Los Angeles Clippers
to start the road trip, and they’re probably hoping that this one is less dramatic.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker returned to the lineup after missing the past two games with lower back spasms, giving the Hawks more depth at the guard position.
The Hawks got off to a slow start against the Clippers, and they made sure not to repeat that process against the Kings, as they struck first with a 3-pointer from Kristaps Porzingis.
Alexander-Walker came back after his two-game absence and made an instant impact in the first quarter, knocking down 3-pointers, getting and-ones, and making flashy passes.
The Hawks were able to build a double-digit lead in the quarter, but the Kings cut the deficit a few times. That didn’t stop the Hawks from continuing to put the pressure on, and they stayed efficient from the 3-point line, thanks to Luke Kennard.
With a minute left in the quarter, the Kings went on a run and cut down their deficit to three points going into the second. Vit Krejci wanted to see if he was still hot from Monday’s game, and yes, he was still hot.
Onyeka Okongwu tried his luck from the perimeter as well, and he cashed it.
The Hawks put their foot on the gas once again, and extended their lead to double digits. They got it the easy way, with Jalen Johnson running to the rim.
The Hawks kept running, pushing the pace, and on the other end they were forcing the Kings into tough shots.
Going into halftime, the Hawks led 66-46, shooting 56% from the field and 45% from the 3-point line. The Hawks continued to pile up the points to start the third quarter, and it was from their ability to turn defense into offense.
Things did not get any better for the Kings as they went down by 30 points, and head coach Doug Christie pulled the starters early in the quarter. That didn’t help the situation either, because the Hawks kept getting out in transition, more specifically, Zaccharie Risacher.
Johnson was working on a triple-double in the third, and Risacher helped him get his eighth assist of the night.
To end the third, Krejci went on another 3-point run, and extended the Hawks lead to 37 points going into the fourth.
The Hawks didn’t stop scoring in the fourth, and Porzingis kept it going with a 3-pointer.
With less than eight minutes left in the game, Quin Snyder pulled the regular rotation and went deep into the bench. Kennard continued to make it rain in the fourth.
Asa Newell was able to get some burn late in the game and had a nice block.
Johnson finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists, Okongwu finished with 21 points, Risacher finished with 15 points, and Alexander-Walker finished with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Hawks will be back in action tomorrow night against the Utah Jazz.
