The Atlanta Hawks are struggling as Thanksgiving nears. The team dropped a home game to the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks on Monday for a third consecutive loss, and Atlanta is now 7-11 and on the edge of the play-in race in the Eastern Conference. Though it is still (very) early in the 2024-25 campaign, the Hawks could use a victory or two, but the team faces a stiff challenge on each side of the Thanksgiving holiday.
On Wednesday, the Hawks begin a two-game, three-day set against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cleveland is the NBA’s best team so far this season, winning 17 of the first 18 games. Atlanta does have a massive upset over Boston under its belt this season, but the Hawks will have their hands full with the Cavs.
Cleveland currently leads the NBA in point differential and offensive efficiency, in addition to three-point accuracy. Atlanta’s three-point defense is currently the worst in the NBA, and that will be an area of focus in both games.
Hawks fined $100,000 by NBA
The NBA announced on Tuesday that the Hawks were fined $100,000 for “violating the league’s Player Participation Policy in connection with Trae Young missing the team’s Emirates NBA Cup game on Nov. 12 against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.”
Young was ruled out with Achilles tendinitis in the game, and per league sources, it is a real injury that the point guard continues to manage. However, the league’s investigation determined that Young could have reasonably played and, under the policy, “eams must ensure that star players are available for national TV and In-Season Tournament games.” Young qualifies as a “star player” because he has made an All-Star team within the prior three seasons.
in addition, the Hawks did not list him on the injury report for the team’s first game after the Boston trip. Though they did have two days off after that game, his absence from the injury report could have opened the team up to increased scrutiny.
