The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a remarkable 110-94 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night, despite being severely shorthanded. With key players like Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter sidelined, the Hawks relied on an unlikely duo to lead them to victory.
Two-way players Keaton Wallace and Daeqwon Plowden stole the show, combining for 46 points in a game where they didn’t even know they’d be playing until that morning. Wallace, who had been in the G League recently, led all scorers with a career-high 27 points. Plowden, making his NBA debut, caught fire and made his first seven shots, finishing with 19 points.
This win was a testament to the Hawks’ organizational depth and the effectiveness of their G League program. The College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s G League affiliate, run similar systems to the NBA squad, allowing for seamless integration when players are called up.
Defensively, the Hawks were outstanding, posting their best defensive rating (88.7) of the season. They held the Bulls to just 94 points, forced 20 turnovers, and dominated the glass, securing 80 percent of available defensive rebounds. Dyson Daniels, in particular, excelled in containing Zach LaVine, who had been a thorn in the Hawks’ side in previous matchups this season.
Offensively, the Hawks struggled with their shooting, posting a mere 50.1 percent true shooting mark. However, they made up for it by winning the possession battle, taking 16 more shooting possessions than the Bulls. This was achieved through excellent ball security (only 11 turnovers) and strong offensive rebounding (27 second-chance points).
Onyeka Okongwu had a standout performance, finishing with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists. Coach Quin Snyder utilized Okongwu as an offensive hub, showcasing his passing ability and versatility.
This victory improves the Hawks’ record to 21-19 at the season’s halfway mark, keeping them relevant in the Eastern Conference playoff race. It also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NBA, where even severely undermanned teams can triumph on any given night.
For more insights and a deeper dive into this memorable Hawks victory, tune into the Locked On Hawks podcast for this and much more.
