The Atlanta Hawks dismissed Head Coach, Nate McMillan, last week following the All-Star festivities in Utah, and had two games slated against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets. A golden opportunity for the Hawks, as they trail both teams in the Eastern Conference standings. The Hawks were led by interim coach, Joe Prunty.
Atlanta dominated Cleveland at home and essentially led by double-digits for the entire game. Trae Young led all scorers with 34 points on 44.4% shooting, going 4-7 from beyond the arc, while finishing with 9 assists. Dejounte Murray chipped in 25 points, 8 assists and 9 rebounds as well.
Saddiq Bey turned in a nice performance for John Collins, who was ruled out of this one due to the NBA’s concussion protocol. Bey went 5-8 from the arc, ending his night with 19 points and a game-best +20 in plus/minus.
The Hawks topped the Cavaliers 136-119 at home.
Sunday’s game provided a bit more suspend against the Nets. The Hawks used a game-winning shot from Young, as the clock expired, to top the Nets, 129-127.
John Collins did make his return to the team, after passing the NBA’s protocol for concussions, finishing with 12 points and 4 rebounds in 26 minutes of play.
The Hawks, again, were led by the star backcourt of Young & Murray. Young finished with 34 points and 8 assists, while Murray finished with 28 points and 4 assists.
Bogdan Bogdanovic had a nice game off the bench for 22 points going 7-11 from the field overall.
Atlanta has another chance to gain some ground in a tight Eastern Conference, as they host the Washington Wizards Tuesday night at home. Oddly enough, especially for a divisional opponent, this is the first meeting between the two teams and the first of four this season. Tip-off for this one is at 7:30 p.m. from Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
