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 Stunner in Boston
Nov 12, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) reacts after defeating the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images|David Butler II/David Butler II-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks delivered a jaw-dropping performance on Tuesday, overcoming the odds to defeat the Boston Celtics in a game that will be remembered as one of the most surprising upsets of the NBA season. Entering the game as 16-point underdogs, the Hawks defied expectations and showcased their resilience and teamwork, even with a depleted roster.
A Game of Margins
The Hawks entered the game with modest expectations, given their status as significant underdogs. Boston, playing at home, had its full roster outside of Kristaps Porzingis, but the Hawks had other plans. Despite trailing by 15 points in the third quarter, they mounted an impressive comeback, leveling the game with a notable, extended run and maintaining composure in the final moments.
The No. 1 key to the victory was the Hawks’ ability to capitalize on the margins. They managed to secure 18 more shooting possessions than Boston, a testament to their dominance in the rebounding and turnover battles. This strategic edge allowed them to overcome Boston’s superior shooting performance, which included a 40% success rate from beyond the arc.
Team Effort and Individual Brilliance
The Hawks’ victory was a collective effort, with significant contributions from several players. Dyson Daniels had a career-best night, excelling on both offense and defense. His performance was complemented by the strong play of Onyeka Okongwu, Clint Capela, and Larry Nance Jr., who all made crucial plays throughout the game. Jalen Johnson’s triple-double further highlighted the team’s depth and versatility.
Despite missing key players like Trae Young, the Hawks demonstrated their ability to adapt and thrive under pressure. Their success was not just about individual brilliance but also about their ability to work together as a cohesive unit. The Hawks’ resilience and determination were evident as they outperformed Boston in critical moments, securing a memorable victory.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Hawks’ stunning victory over the Celtics, tune into the Locked On Hawks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Hawks Podcast:
- Injury updates on Trae Young and other key players
- Analysis of the Hawks’ performance without their top ball handlers
- A look at the NBA Cup and its impact on the Hawks’ season
- Player evaluations and standout performances
- Upcoming games and what to expect from the Hawks
Klay Thompson’s homecoming to The Bay started well before he hit the floor last night at Oracle with the Mavs and roughly 19,000 fans started waving nautical Captain hats.
It started mid-way through last season, when Golden State didn’t signal they’d immediately be resigning Thompson as the franchise had, up to then, always been in a hurry to. There were shades of it along with Thompson’s frustrations in his game changing, the splashy shots not falling as fluidly as they used to. Clues came in the way the Warriors felt their frustrations as a team: once together, a cohesive unit, and then splintering and individually.
“Even from July, when Klay decided to go to Dallas to us showing up for training camp and him not being here, it was kind of like a slow build to this night for everybody,” Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, said after last night’s game.
Basketball isn’t played in a vacuum, and Curry sharing the psychic and emotional timeline of the team underscores that in a rare glimpse behind the curtain. Sometimes its brightest full-circle moments have to struggle through discomfort, angst and loss in order to come back around. Often, the storylines with the most ups and downs are the ones that end the most cathartically.
Since this season began, Thompson’s been candid about how necessary the move to Dallas was for him. “Every pro athlete’s human, and uncertainty can bear on you,” he told ESPN prior to Tuesday night’s homecoming game.
“Honestly, it’s rejuvenated me and done something I needed bad just for my mental [state] and my career,” Thompson said.
It’s a knife’s edge between animosity for an athlete’s who’s left a franchise they share a storied history with and sympathy for their decision. What tips fans to one side or the other can skew personal, so isn’t always easy to predict, but Thompson’s tendency toward honesty helps. He’s always been someone who wears what he’s feeling on the floor openly, and for that fans — for the most part — respond with empathy. There’s a sense that through all the years he played for the Warriors there was an open conduit of conversation between him and the fanbase.
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
Celebrate Onyeka Okongwu’s game-winner lifted the Hawks to a thrilling 117-116 victory over the Boston Celtics in the NBA Cup. (Peachtree Hoops)
Injury Despite playing without Trae Young, the Hawks managed to stun the Celtics, showcasing their depth and resilience. (AJC)
Legacy Klay Thompson feels “free” after his late-career move to Dallas. (ESPN)
Fantasy Basketball Takeaways From Tuesday - Robert Williams Day
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (35) shoots the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) during the first half at Moda Center. |Photo by Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Tuesday’s NBA games offered a wealth of insights for fantasy basketball managers. Here’s a closer look at the key takeaways and strategic moves you should consider:
Charlotte Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
- Grant Williams: With his move to the starting lineup, Williams is a viable short-term pickup, especially while the Hornets deal with injuries. His ability to contribute in multiple categories makes him a solid addition in deeper leagues.
- Moussa Diabate: Diabate’s rebounding prowess is noteworthy, especially with the Hornets’ frontcourt injuries. He’s a strong option for those in need of rebounds in deeper formats.
- Franz Wagner: Wagner’s performance underscores his value, particularly with Paolo Banchero out. Consider selling high if you can get a top-tier player in return, as his current production may dip once Banchero returns.
Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons
- Tyler Herro: After a 40-point explosion, Herro is a prime sell-high candidate. His shooting percentages are unlikely to sustain, so capitalise on his current form to bolster your roster.
- Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey: Both players showed their potential to fill the stat sheet. Cunningham remains a must-start, while Ivey’s bounce-back game suggests he’s worth holding onto for his upside.
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.
