Brad Rowland here, the host of the daily Locked On Hawks podcast, with your daily Locked On Hawks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Hawks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
A Challenging Matchup to begin the NBA Cup
Nov 8, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) walks of the court dejected after loosing to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images|David Reginek/David Reginek-Imagn Images
Trae Young’s Unexpected Setback
As the Atlanta Hawks gear up for their NBA Cup run, an unexpected hurdle has emerged. Trae Young, the team’s star player, has been sidelined with right Achilles tendinitis. This development came as a surprise, with no visible signs of injury during his last game. Young’s absence is a significant blow, especially as the Hawks face the Boston Celtics, a formidable opponent, in their upcoming match. The team must now navigate this challenge without their leading scorer, raising questions about how they will adjust their strategy.
The timing of Young’s injury is particularly concerning given the Hawks’ current roster situation. With several key players already out due to various injuries, including Bogdan Bogdanović and De’Andre Hunter, the team is stretched thin. The absence of Young, who has been a consistent presence on the court, adds to the pressure on the remaining players to step up and fill the void.
Roster Adjustments and Strategic Shifts
In light of these injuries, the Hawks are forced to make significant adjustments. Keaton Wallace, a two-way player, is expected to take on a more prominent role. While Wallace has shown potential, he is not yet a seasoned creator, which could impact the team’s offensive dynamics. The Hawks will likely rely on Jalen Johnson to take on more responsibilities, especially in initiating plays and creating scoring opportunities.
The team’s depth is being tested, and this situation highlights the importance of having a versatile roster that can adapt to unforeseen circumstances. The Hawks’ ability to maintain their competitive edge will depend on how well these players can integrate into the team’s system and contribute effectively.
The upcoming game against the Celtics is crucial, not just for the NBA Cup but also for the Hawks’ morale and momentum. The Celtics, known for their strong three-point shooting and ball security, present a formidable challenge. The Hawks will need to focus on their defensive strategies, particularly in guarding the perimeter, to counter Boston’s offensive strengths.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Atlanta Hawks’ current situation and strategies, tune into the Locked On Hawks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Hawks Podcast:
- Analysis of the Hawks’ recent performance and injury impact
- Discussion on the NBA Cup and its significance for the Hawks
- Fan questions and insights on the team’s future prospects
- Updates on player recoveries and expected returns
The second annual NBA In-Season Tournament/much catchier ‘NBA Cup’ begins tonight, kicking off roughly a month of tournament games that fall on Tuesdays and Fridays. Then, we get into the quarterfinals and conference semifinals, the rules of which I am still not 100% clear on and am not ashamed to admit.
The newness of the Cup is what makes people skeptical of it. It’s what made me skeptical of it last season. It’s difficult to introduce new things into competitive ecosystems that seem largely “set”, which is why it happens rarely. My skepticism of the tournament came from the need to gameify what is already a game, but then I thought about how often the “product” of the NBA (e.g. basketball) gets complained about and realized the league was trying something. Trying something different versus just complaining about what already exists for the sake of griping is also rare.
Part of the fun of the tournament in its current, very green iteration, is its messiness. Last season, athletes were clear about how they, too, were stumped on the rules. How did the point system work? What were the knockout rules? Why were the custom courts so garish? But for the most part, players leaned into it. Did the Lakers lean a little too hard into it by hanging the In-Season Tournament banner in the rafters? Absolutely. But these are Tuesday night games in November — nothing about them should be sacrosanct.
A genuine lift I noticed and liked about last season’s tournament, and my real point of defense, is how these games operated as additional runway for a handful of teams on the verge. The In-Season Tournament was where we started to see the Pacers flourish and use the breakneck speed that went on to become a critical component of their entirely unique offense. The Pelicans also treated the tournament as something different, approaching the games like an escape from the early season injury woes that derailed them (unfortunately in a very cruel deja vu, we’re seeing the same thing this season). There’s going to be more emerging teams and play styles showing themselves this time around.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and De’Andre Hunter are key players to watch for the Hawks this season, with their performance critical to the team’s success. (Peachtree Hoops)
Preview The Atlanta Hawks face off against the Boston Celtics in a 7:30 PM Eastern game at the TD Garden in Boston. Read the preview.(NBA)
Injury The NBA has a ‘missing stars’ problem with injuries piling up faster than normal. (Yahoo! Sports)
Rumor Did Giannis Antetokounmpo’s fake handshake prank launch a new NBA rivalry?
Preview The tiny town and legendary 1980s NBA team that built NBA Draft phenom Cooper Flagg (ESPN)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Monday’s NBA Fantasy Basketball Recap
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center.|Photo by Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action featured five games, each packed with performances and injury updates that could reshape your fantasy basketball strategy.
Injury Updates Affecting Lineups
Damian Lillard’s entry into concussion protocol means he’ll miss Tuesday’s game, with a slim chance of returning by Wednesday. This quick turnaround is unusual, so keep an eye on updates. Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr. is still dealing with back spasms, and despite his fantasy position eligibility, he’s not a point guard, averaging only two assists per game. The Milwaukee Bucks are experimenting with their lineup, with Pat Connaughton and Ryan Rollins as potential backup point guards. Giannis Antetokounmpo can handle point guard duties, but he needs support, especially with Khris Middleton unavailable.
Zion Williamson’s injury update is a blow to fantasy managers. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks, longer than initially anticipated. If you have an IR spot, hold onto him, but be prepared for a potentially extended absence. Malik Monk’s ankle injury will keep him out for at least two weeks, affecting the Sacramento Kings’ lineup. Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis could see increased value in the short term.
Game Highlights and Player Performances
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a surprising 116-96 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Victor Wembanyama was the standout performer, delivering a stellar 34 points and 14 rebounds, solidifying his status as a top fantasy player. De’Aaron Fox’s assist numbers are concerning, especially with DeMar DeRozan’s arrival affecting his role. DeRozan’s on-court fit with the Kings remains a question mark. Kevin Huerter’s inconsistency continues, and while he had a hot streak, his recent performance was lacklustre. Keegan Murray’s struggles are evident, and I don’t see him breaking into the top 75 players this season.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hawks podcasts.
Shooting nightmare sends Hawks to loss in San Francisco The show focuses on Wednesday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Golden State Warriors, including Atlanta’s clean injury report, a shooting nightmare for the Hawks, encouraging defense, a total collapse at the end of the first half, and much more.
Hawks bounce back with roller coaster win over Kings The show focuses on Monday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings, including the surprise absence of Jalen Johnson, the return of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kobe Bufkin, a lights-out start, a three-point shooting barrage by Sacramento, De’Andre Hunter’s strong play, Trae Young’s passing brilliance, Dyson Daniels sealing the game, and much more.
Third quarter disaster, turnover issues doom Hawks in road loss to Blazers The show focuses on Sunday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, headlined by a disastrous third quarter and widespread turnover issues for Atlanta. Topics also include rough late-game execution, defensive rebounding problems, the return of Vit Krejci, and much more.
