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De’Andre Hunter’s three-point dagger with 9.2 seconds remaining sunk the Eastern Conference’s best team by record in a shellshocked Boston, who led by as many as 30 points during a tale of two halves as Atlanta rallied together after half-time without a cluster of their injured key players to log a morale-boosting comeback win at home, weeks before their postseason fate is settled. Continue reading “De’Andre Hunter’s dagger sinks Boston, capping a remarkable Atlanta turnaround”
Trae Young hit some clutch free-throws, Dejounte Murray added 25 and the Atlanta Hawks held their poise to outlast a short-handed Philadelphia 76ers team at home. Yet Wednesday night’s overtime win belonged to small forward Jalen Johnson (25 pts, 16 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks), who shone when called upon in ways many hadn’t come to expect from the third-year man. Continue reading “Jalen Johnson hails team chemistry, Hawks outlast Embiid-less 76ers in OT”
In Thursday’s lone playoff game, the Boston Celtics went on a 18-7 run in the final five minutes to eliminate a plucky but patchy Atlanta Hawks display on their home floor. How did they do it, Jayson Tatum was asked postgame. Consistently making winning plays in the fourth quarter, doing whatever it takes – with a well-rested Philadelphia 76ers side awaiting them this weekend.
Continue reading “Jayson Tatum hails winning plays, as Celtics eliminate Hawks in cagey Game 6”
Trae Young led the way with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as the Atlanta Hawks started fast and finished assertively en route to a double-digit road win in Miami during the league’s maiden play-in tournament matchup of the season overnight. The result secures their standing as the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed, and Boston [2] await them in Game 1 this weekend. Continue reading “Hawks 116-105 Heat: Young silences trade noise as Snyder’s men stun Miami to secure playoff berth”
Fans and critics alike were surprised upon hearing the news of Atlanta’s latest move overnight, tying up sharpshooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic to a long-term $68m extension – ignoring injury concerns and much more, including their Kevin Huerter trade decision that hasn’t exactly aged well, eight months on. Continue reading “Stupid or smart? Confusing extension? Atlanta agree four-year, $68m Bogdanovic deal”
Kyrie Irving recorded a 15-point fourth quarter, as the surging Brooklyn Nets produced a big defensive second-half to snatch a gritty away win over an Atlanta side without star guard Trae Young. However, they had a heart-in-mouth moment at the buzzer after his backcourt partner Dejounte Murray’s contested three attempt could’ve sealed an impressive comeback win. Continue reading “Nets 108-107 Hawks: Irving’s big fourth quarter sees Brooklyn snatch win, now on 10-game win streak”
More than a third of the way through the NBA regular season, title contenders and tanking teams have largely been identified. As for the cluster of teams flickering in the middle, the race to February’s All-Star break will decide where their future lies. I spoke to NBA expert Jack Brown for another Q&A, featuring Chicago’s issues, best Victor Wembanyama landing spots and more.
Continue reading “NBA Q&A – Christmas special: A look at struggling teams, trade targets and stories to watch”
Two Eastern Conference playoff contenders are among the teams targeting a noticeable upgrade at center this coming offseason and so Utah Jazz big man Rudy Gobert returns to the rumour mill once again as uncertainty shrouds the franchise after Quin Snyder’s resignation. Continue reading “Atlanta, Chicago among reported suitors for Jazz’s Rudy Gobert as speculation returns”
After posting his second-highest scoring total since eventually joining Miami in a trade from Houston 13 months ago, is two-time All-Star shooting guard Victor Oladipo now ready to be their x-factor as the postseason deepens, with questions over Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler? Continue reading “After his 23-point gamewinning display vs. Atlanta, is Victor Oladipo an x-factor in Miami?”
In a surprise to some, the Hornets sacked their head coach James Borrego on Friday after the Hornets again failed to make the postseason for a sixth consecutive year. Despite more year-on-year improvement, it’s clear the franchise view themselves as much better than a play-in team, but will they get the next hire right? Frank Vogel, recently dismissed from the Lakers, and Golden State Warriors assistant coach Kenny Atkinson are linked with the new vacancy.
Continue reading “After firing James Borrego, Charlotte can’t afford to waste potential with his successor”
After contrasting games against the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons respectively, Atlanta (10-11) welcome an in-form team out West – Quin Snyder’s Utah Jazz (16-5), who’ve lost just one of their last 13 games. Will they learn from their mistakes and avoid another close defeat? Continue reading “Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs Utah Jazz – Can Young and co sting their in-form visitors?”
Charlotte Hornets’ 2020 draft pick LaMelo Ball (#3) officially replaced Markelle Fultz as the NBA’s youngest ever player to record a triple-double – 10 points, assists and rebounds – during their 113-105 win vs. the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night but his nonchalant response to questions post-game show this is just the start for a young guard with plenty to achieve in the league. Continue reading “LaMelo Ball isn’t surprised by his record-breaking numbers – you shouldn’t be either”
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