The Atlanta Hawks withstood a furious Orlando Magic comeback-attempt in the final minutes of Monday night’s game at State Farm Arena. Trae Young put the Hawks up, 124-112, nailing a 34-foot three-pointer with 3:05 left in the game to seemingly “ice” the game.
Orlando proceeded to go on a wild 13-0 run to shock the Hawks and their home fans. Magic guard, Markelle Fultz, took advantage of an Atlanta defensive miscue to put the Magic up 125-124 with 3.8 seconds on the clock.
With the Hawks trailing by one, Young inbounded the ball to Dejounte Murray, who was making his first appearance since an ankle sprain, that sidelined him for the past five games. He took a contested mid-range that would not fall, but Magic rookie, Paolo Banchero, fouled Murray to send him to the line for two free throw’s. Murray stepped up to the charity stripe and calmly swished both shots to put the Hawks up one. The Magic inbounded the ball to Banchero with a chance to win, but he took one too many dribbles as the game clock expired before he got a shot off.
Prior to the craziness of the final three minutes, the Hawks kept the Magic in the rearview mirror for the majority of the game. However, they never took charge or delivered a knockout punch, as their largest lead was only 13.
Atlanta initially created separation in the first quarter on the strength of two three’s from De’Andre Hunter and another from A.J. Griffin to go up 21-14. Young was dishing out dimes to everyone, as he collected 7 assists in the first frame alone.
The Hawks took a 34-27 lead into the second quarter. Griffin continued his stellar performance, killing the Magic from mid-range. His shooting was critical all night, as Bogdan Bogdanovic, struggled to find his rhythm, missing his first six shots. A couple of turnover’s allowed the Magic to bring the Hawks’ lead back to a one-possession game at, 68-65, going into the second-half.
Banchero ended the half with three consecutive baskets, and Fultz finished with 16 points. Young went to the locker room with a 15-point, 10-assist double-double.
The Hawks began the third quarter energized, with a 7-0 run, forcing a quick Magic timeout. Atlanta did a much better job keeping Fultz out of the paint, limiting him to just 2 points in the third. On offense, the Hawks pushed the pace and got easy buckets off Orlando turnover’s, but the Magic stayed within striking distance. Young delivered a vintage performance, with confidence and swagger, entering the fourth quarter with 30 points and 12 assists. The Hawks kept the lead around 10 points for most of the second-half until the final few minutes, when poor offensive execution almost cost the Hawks the win.
“Ice Trae” was brilliant, finishing with 37 points and 13 assists, while shooting 50% from the field. Collins only played 20 minutes due to a minute restriction but delivered 12 points and 7 rebounds. It was his first appearance in eight games due to injury.
On a night when Bogdanovic struggled to find his shot, Griffin put up 19 points and 7 rebounds, on 8-13 shooting. Onyeka Okongwu chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds, and Murray finished with 17 points and 2 steals. Hunter gave the Hawks their seventh double-digit scorer with 16 of his own.
For the Magic, Fultz put up an impressive 24-point, 9-assist and 6-rebound statline. Banchero had 18 points and 7 assists but saw his streak of eight consecutive games of scoring 20 or more come to an end. Franz Wagner finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds, and his brother, Moritz, added a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. Kevon Harris played great defense on Young down the stretch, but ultimately the Hawks’ star escaped with the last laugh.
Atlanta will need to improve their late-game execution in order to be more consistent and keep racking up win’s. The struggling-Chicago Bulls come to State Farm Arena on Wednesday night. The last meeting between these two clubs was a 123-122, overtime thriller. Tip-off for Wednesday’s game is 7:30 p.m. eastern.
