Dejounte Murray scored 40 points in an away loss to the Portland Trailblazers. Murray almost put the Hawks on his back and led them to a win, but little to no help was offered for his efforts.
Atlanta had only two other players finish in double-figures, besides Murray. Numerous injuries, including Saddiq Bey, who was ruled out for the season with a torn ACL, following Atlanta’s loss to the Pelicans Sunday night, have left the Hawks with a patchwork lineup. Wes Matthews and Vit Krejci were named into the starting lineup but had very little impact.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had another rough shooting shoot, going 3 of 15 from the field and 2 of 9 from three, finishing with only 8 points in 34 minutes of action. He did also add in 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
The Hawks did hold a 16-point lead at one point in this game, but the duo of DeAndre Ayton and Anfernee Simons was too much for Atlanta. Ayton had maybe one of his best games of the season with a monster double-double of 33 point and 19 rebounds. Simons flirted with a near-triple-double of 36 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
With the aforementioned slew of injuries, Atlanta finds themselves in a tough spot, dropping their first game in Portland. They have four more games on their western road trip and it will not get an easier. Next is the Utah Jazz, then the Los Angeles two-step, with the Clippers, followed by the Lakers and the finale in Phoenix with the Suns.
Atlanta is clinging on to the final play-in spot and will look to get back in the win column against the Jazz Friday. Tip-off for Friday’s game will be at 9:30 p.m at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
