The Atlanta Hawks got their NBA Cup slate rolling against the Washington Wizards last night, and it turned into one of the more watchable games they’ve played so far this season. Atlanta had to grind for it, though. The Wizards kept things uncomfortable all night, and the Hawks never really got a free pass.
The game also brought former All-Star point guard Trae Young back to Atlanta for the first time since he was traded in January.
For Atlanta, Dyson Daniels was one of the biggest bright spots. He came within a whisker of a triple-double and made his presence felt all over the floor.
Daniels posted 13 points, 12 assists, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals while shooting 66% from the field. Beyond the box score, he gave Young a tough night defensively, with Atlanta repeatedly picking him up near half-court and sending traps his way.
On the other end of the spectrum, C.J. McCollum had a rough night.
He’s already been searching for his shot over the last three games, and that struggle continued here. Since Wednesday’s game, McCollum has chosen to come off the bench behind rookie point guard Kingston Flemings, believing Flemings could benefit from the experience and confidence of starting.
In his sixth-man role, McCollum couldn’t provide the scoring punch Atlanta needed. He finished 1-for-10 from the field with four points, four assists, and three rebounds.
The biggest surprise from the Hawks’ side was Dort. He’s had a tough time settling into his new role early in the season, but this looked like a real step forward. Starting at power forward, Dort put up 25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and knocked down 5 threes.
Newell’s night was more about what he missed than what he produced. He landed on the list because an ankle injury from the previous game against Washington kept him from taking advantage of the opportunity in front of him. With Johnson out, the chance to show what he can do in a starting role and with extra minutes was right there, and those chances don’t come around often unless the injuries keep piling up.
Then there was Onyeka Okongwu, who kept rolling after a strong stretch over the last five games. He’s been averaging a double-double during that run, and he backed it up again last night. His defense helped close the door late, highlighted by a crucial steal on Young’s late-fourth-quarter alley-oop attempt to help seal the win.
Okongwu finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals, shooting 66% from the field, 66% from three, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line.
In Other News...
Nets Still Have A Rookie Availability Problem After Hawks Win
Brooklyns rookie rotation remains in flux as the Nets head into their next game against Dallas, with two young players still unavailable after the Hawks game left the broader picture unchanged. Egor Demin is dealing with a right leg bone bruise, while the team is also managing Mikel Brown Jr. carefully as it tries to balance development with availability early in the season.
The short-term outlook is still a waiting game. Demin will be reevaluated after the Mavericks matchup, and Browns workload remains limited as Brooklyn continues to ease him along, leaving the Nets to piece together their backcourt depth for now. Both players are viewed as possible options for the next game against New Orleans, but for the moment the rookie availability issue is still very much in play. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen Johnson Could Ease A Hawks Problem That's Getting Harder To Ignore
Jalen Johnson is trending toward a return just when the Hawks need help most in the frontcourt. He is listed as probable for Atlantas game against Brooklyn after missing three games with a left ankle sprain, and his presence would give the Hawks a much-needed boost as they try to steady a rotation that has been thinned by injuries.
Atlanta has been patching together minutes inside, with Jock Landale still sidelined and Asa Newell facing an extended absence, which has pushed rookie Zuby Ejiofor into a bigger role. Johnsons availability does not solve everything, but it at least gives the Hawks a chance to get back some size, versatility and stability in a stretch where that has become harder to find. [Read more 🡒]
Trae Youngs Atlanta Return Brought A Reaction Hawks Fans Will Debate
The early-season noise around the Southeast Division has not exactly been kind to Miami, where Andrew Wiggins has gone from a strong preseason to a rough opening stretch that has left him producing career lows in most of the usual categories. The Heat have stumbled out of the gate as a team, and Erik Spoelstra has already acknowledged Wiggins struggles while still making clear he believes the veteran wing can climb out of them.
Elsewhere in the division, Atlanta had its own moment of conversation when Trae Young came back to the city and drew a reaction from the crowd that was impossible to ignore, even if it was not the kind of reception Hawks fans will agree on. The storyline around the Hawks is already branching in a few directions, with rookie Kingston Flemings earning praise for his speed from teammates as the team continues sorting out what this season is going to look like. [Read more 🡒]