The Atlanta Hawks took on the Sacramento Kings for the first time this season Saturday evening. Sacramento has won their last 4 matchups against the Hawks. Atlanta, however, entered this game on a 3-game win streak that they were not ready to lose hold of.
Both teams started the game sharp on the offensive end, with each ballclub trading baskets early. The buckets were short-lived for the Hawks but continued for Sacramento, who went on a 7 to 0 run to force the game’s first timeout. The Hawks’ defensive struggles continued after the talk, as Sacramento extended their lead to 24-10 midway through the first. After a quick 8 to 2 run, Atlanta pulled themselves back within striking distance. Yet, Sacramento maintained a consistent effort on both ends to take a 33-22 lead into the quarter break.
No looking back
To start the second period, veteran guard Rajon Rondo sparked an Atlanta comeback with a couple of beautiful moves to the rim for layups. He would follow with a dime to big man Clint Capela for a two-hand jam before tying the game with a triple. The Hawks’ 11 to 0 run to start the second quarter forced a Sacramento timeout, but Atlanta kept applying pressure. After trailing by 11 at the end of the first, the Hawks completely flipped the game around to claim an 11-point lead of their own midway through the second. Two straight threes by Kevin Huerter capped a 24-2 run for the Hawks.
Despite shooting under 30 percent from beyond the arc, the Hawks went into halftime up by 10. Danilo Gallinari hit a three at the buzzer to push the score to 61-51. Capela made his presence felt in the half with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and a pair of blocks. Guard De’Aaron Fox had 20 points, 5 assists, and 5 boards in the half to lead Sacramento.
Ice Trae’s out of the freezer
The game’s pace remained the same in the third quarter. Trae Young came alive in the period, scoring 17 points to help propel his team to a 23-point lead. After knocking down a game-winning three against the Raptors, Tony Snell also sparked the Hawks. By the close of the quarter, the Hawks held a commanding 98-81 lead over Sacramento.
The Kings refused to throw in the towel in the fourth, with scrappy guard Corey Joseph putting a stamp on numerous Sacramento buckets early. After a Fox three and Hawks shot-clock violation, the Kings found themselves down by 12 with 7 minutes to play. They continuously fouled Capela – known to struggle from the free-throw line – in a strategic attempt to create more opportunities to close in on the deficit. Despite Sacramento’s push, a late 3-point dagger from Young iced the game. He finished with 28 points and 9 assists to lead the Hawks (18-20) to a 121-106 win over Sacramento (15-23).
“I just like the way that we fought from beginning to end,” Young said about his team’s performance. “They got out to a great start, got us down, and we just kept fighting. We kept sticking to the game plan, and we fought to the end.”
Four other Hawks scored in double figures, including 24 points and 14 boards from Capela on 10 of 12 from the floor. John Collins added 16 to the scoring column. A streaky scorer in Bogdan, Bogdanovic suited up against his former team for the first time but lacked the production he may have preferred.
All 5 Kings starters scored in double figures, with Fox pouring in a game-high 32 points to go with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Richaun Holmes added 20 points and 12 boards.
The Hawks are back at it tomorrow in a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers at 1:30 p.m. EST.
