The Atlanta Hawks returned to action at home on Tuesday evening, securing an impressive 122-117 victory over the Phoenix Suns. This win was particularly notable given the Hawks’ shorthanded roster, missing key players in Jalen Johnson and DeAndre Hunter.
Despite being underdogs at tip-off, the Hawks showcased their resilience and team-first mentality. Trae Young led the charge with a 43-point performance, adapting his game to become more of a scorer than a distributor in this setting.
Arguably the other major story of the night was the outstanding play of Onyeka Okongwu. Coming off the bench, Okongwu made history as the first Hawks reserve player to record a 20-20 game, finishing with 22 points and a career-high 21 rebounds. His energy and effort on both ends of the floor were instrumental in securing the win.
The Hawks’ strong offensive performance was built on their dominance in two key areas: three-point shooting and offensive rebounding. The team shot an impressive 41.5% from beyond the arc, with Young, Garrison Matthews, and Vit Krejci combining for 14 three-pointers. On the offensive glass, the Hawks were relentless, grabbing an astounding 40% of their missed shots.
Defensively, while not perfect, the Hawks showed grit and determination. They managed to contain the Suns’ supporting cast, despite strong performances from Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The team’s ability to win the possession battle, taking 14 more shots than the Suns, proved crucial in securing the victory.
This win was particularly significant given the Hawks’ upcoming schedule, which features numerous road games. It also extended their impressive streak of 11 consecutive home victories against the Suns, dating back to March 2014.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Hawks’ victory over the Suns, tune into the Locked On Hawks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Hawks Podcast:
• Injury updates on Jalen Johnson and DeAndre Hunter
• Breakdown of individual player performances
• Analysis of the Hawks’ rotation and lineup decisions
