The Atlanta Hawks came into Thursday night riding high. Less than 24 hours earlier, they had rolled into TD Garden and stunned the Celtics with a commanding win - a performance that felt like a turning point. But as is often the case in the NBA, momentum can be a fragile thing, especially when injuries and fatigue enter the picture.
Back home and on the second night of a back-to-back, the Hawks ran into a brick wall in the form of the Houston Rockets, falling 104-86 in a game that started with promise but quickly unraveled.
Let’s set the stage: Atlanta was already facing an uphill battle before the opening tip. The win in Boston came at a steep price - Onyeka Okongwu took a hard elbow to the face, resulting in a dental fracture, and Jalen Johnson aggravated a calf injury.
That’s two of the Hawks’ most reliable frontcourt presences sidelined against a team that thrives on physicality and mid-range execution. Not exactly ideal.
And the Rockets? They weren’t exactly rested either, also playing their second game in as many nights.
But the big difference? Alperen Sengun - Houston’s All-Star center and the heartbeat of their interior game - suited up after being listed as a game-time decision.
That alone tilted the matchup in Houston’s favor, especially with Atlanta’s front line depleted.
Still, the Hawks came out swinging. Nickeil Alexander-Walker wasted no time making his presence felt, slicing through the Rockets’ defense and scoring 10 of Atlanta’s first 12 points. The Hawks jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead, looking like they might have enough juice left in the tank to extend their win streak to five.
But that early spark didn’t last. Houston settled in, and the game turned into a grind-it-out defensive battle.
By the end of the first quarter, it was all tied up at 23. The second quarter wasn’t much different - both teams struggled to find rhythm offensively, and the Rockets edged out a one-point advantage heading into halftime.
At the break, neither team had cracked 44 points.
Then came the third quarter - and with it, a shift in tone and tempo. That’s when Houston took control, and Kevin Durant (yes, that Kevin Durant) decided it was time to flip the switch. He led a Rockets surge that saw them drop 35 points in the quarter, outpacing Atlanta by 11 and grabbing hold of the game for good.
From there, the Hawks just couldn’t claw their way back. Shorthanded and clearly gassed, Atlanta struggled to match Houston’s physicality and pace. The Rockets kept the pressure on, dominating the boards, controlling the paint, and closing the door on any potential comeback.
Make no mistake - this was a tough loss. But it’s not one that should shake the Hawks’ confidence.
They came into the game riding a four-game win streak and had just knocked off one of the league’s best teams on the road. Losing the next night, without key players and against a team that brought its A-game, is far from a red flag.
Now, the focus shifts to Saturday night, when the Hawks take on the Indiana Pacers. With a chance to regroup, get healthier, and build on what’s been a promising stretch overall, Atlanta will look to get right back on track.