The Atlanta Hawks were down by as many as 24 points in Friday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Atlanta used a furious rally to take the lead with 12.5 seconds remaining, following a pair of made free throws by Trae Young.
Detroit’s Cade Cunningham hit the eventual game-winning shot with a running, hook-like, lefty, lay-up off the glass with 8.1 seconds remaining. Cunningham had a night to remember, even excluding the game-winner, as he finished with a triple-double of 22 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Atlanta had one more last chance at the end of regulation, as Young fed Onyeka Okongwu a nifty-shovel pass under the basket, but Okongwu’s lay-up attempt was blocked by Cunningham as time expired. Okongwu thought he was fouled but replays showed that Cunningham touched the ball first on the block attempt.
The Hawks were flat most of the game and it was coupled with a dismal first quarter that saw Detroit outscore Atlanta, 40-23. From there it got worse, and by the time they staged the comeback it was too little too late.
The trio of Young, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, who is quickly establishing himself as one of the better perimeter defenders in the league, were instrumental in bringing the Hawks back into this game.
Young finished with a monster-night of 35 points and 13 assists, yet another double-double on the season for the former-Oklahoma star. He also hit 6 three’s, on 50% shooting, from beyond the arc.
Jalen Johnson added 20 points and 9 boards, while Daniels poured in 18 and was able to come away with a career-high 7 steals!
Larry Nance Jr. continued to show Hawks’ fans on what type of contributor he can be. Nance Jr. was 5-of-5 from the field for thirteen points, including a poster dunk in the third period.
Both teams are now 4-6 in the early-Eastern conference standings, as Detroit will pass Atlanta with the head-to-head victory.
Atlanta has a quick turnaround as they will head back home to host the visiting Chicago Bulls at State Farm Arena. Tip-off for Saturday’s match-up is at 7:30 p.m.
