The Atlanta Hawks ended their four-game losing streak with a 126-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night. This matchup featured heavy injuries on both sides- so much so the Pelicans had four starters out.
Dejounte Murray (hand), C.J. McCollum (adductor), Herb Jones (shoulder), and Zion Williamson (hamstring) all missed tonight. Trey Murphy (hamstring) has also yet to suit up for the Pelicans this season.
On the other side, the Hawks were without De’Andre Hunter (knee), Bogdan Bogdanović (hamstring), Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), and Onyeka Okongwu (toe injury management). However, Dyson Daniels returned to face his former squad after missing two games with a hip flexor strain.
After a slow first three games, it is safe to say Jalen Johnson has broken out of his mini-slump. He dominated New Orleans in the paint in the second half to end with 29 points (12-20 FG), nine rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and two steals. Johnson was instrumental in Atlanta’s massive 14-0 run in the fourth quarter to seal the victory. Keaton Wallace, Larry Nance Jr., and Trae Young collected three consecutive steals and converted them into buckets on the other end. Johnson converted an and-one to give Atlanta a commanding 114-97 lead with under 5:30 to play. The Pelicans scored just 16 points in the final frame with under four minutes left before Head Coach Willie Green emptied his bench.
After a six-point first half, Young came out firing to start the third frame. He knocked down a deep three as part of a 7-0 Hawks run to grab the second-half momentum. The star guard finished with 23 points (8-15 FG), 12 assists, and committed just two turnovers. Atlanta ranks 20th in turnovers for the campaign but ending the first frame with zero miscues helped them establish an offensive flow. The Hawks hit 11 of their first 13 shots in the third quarter to take control of the contest.
Daniels and Nance both performed well in their returns to the Smoothie King Center. Nance got the backup center minutes with Okongwu sidelined and put up 14 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. He threw down a monster slam over Daniel Theis in the third quarter to highlight his night. Daniels showed his improved offensive skillset to his old teammates with 16 points, five rebounds, and knocking down two threes in five attempts.
After the Hawks’ poor second-half showing against the Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings, they locked down New Orleans for 52 second-half points. Atlanta also scored 68 over the final two frames, forcing the Pelicans into 18 turnovers and converting steals into easy transition buckets.
Brandon Ingram did all he could to keep his squad close. He scored 32 points on 12-19 from the field. Jordan Hawkins has had a hot start to the season and operated as the Pelicans’ second option. He ended with 19 points (7-18 FG). Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain stepped up off the bench for 14 points each.
Atlanta travels back to State Farm Arena to take on the Boston Celtics on the second half of a back-to-back Monday night.
