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.
Hawks Hand Cavaliers Their First Home Loss of 2024-25 Season
Nov 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) celebrates his three-point basket in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images | David Richard/David Richard-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks delivered a thrilling performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday, marking their second major upset of the 2024-25 season. Trae Young was the star of the night for Atlanta, setting a career-high with 22 assists, the most by a Hawk since 1993. This game showcased Atlanta’s best offensive performance of the season, a much-needed boost after a three-game losing streak.
A Roller Coaster Start
The game began with a rocky start for the Hawks, who found themselves trailing by 19 points in the first quarter. However, a remarkable 24-5 run closed the gap, thanks to the bench’s outstanding contribution. Kobe Bufkin, in particular, had a standout performance, scoring eight points in just four minutes. This surge set the tone for the rest of the game, proving that the Hawks could compete with the best.
Offensive Mastery and Defensive Resilience
Atlanta’s offense was firing on all cylinders, achieving a 129 offensive rating, tying their best mark of the season. The Hawks made a season-high 20 three-pointers, shooting 47.6% from beyond the arc. This was a significant improvement for a team that had struggled with three-point shooting earlier in the season. Young’s leadership was evident as he orchestrated the offense with precision, leading to a season-high 39 assists for the team.
Defensively, the Hawks held their ground against a strong Cavaliers team. Despite allowing 124 points, the fast-paced nature of the game meant that their defensive rating was respectable. The Hawks managed to hold Cleveland below their usual offensive output, showcasing their ability to adapt and improve as the game progressed.
Key Performances and Team Effort
Young’s performance was complemented by significant contributions from other players. Jalen Johnson was instrumental, providing energy and scoring when the team needed it most. De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović were crucial off the bench, combining for a strong shooting performance that kept the Hawks in the game.
The Hawks’ ability to maintain composure and execute under pressure was evident in the fourth quarter. Young hit two crucial deep three-pointers, including a 35-footer that sealed the victory. This resilience and ability to perform in clutch moments are promising signs for the team’s future.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Atlanta Hawks’ strategies and performances, 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’ bench performance and its impact on the game.
- Discussion on Trae Young’s historic assist record and its significance.
- Breakdown of the Hawks’ defensive strategies against the Cavaliers.
- Insights into the team’s preparation and adjustments for upcoming games.
- Commentary on the Hawks’ overall season performance and future prospects.
Giving thanks for a better-than-expected rookie class
Happy Thanksgiving! To give you something to talk about with your undoubtedly NBA-fluent families and friends, here are some rookie rankings to chew over.
1. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Over his last ten games, McCain has averaged 23 points per game (top 25 in the league in that span) on solid efficiency, including 39% from deep on crazy volume. Philly hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but McCain’s surprising on-ball creation and superb off-ball movement have Philly fans seeing a future star (wait, maybe that’s just their court). I’m obsessed with this little moonwalk he uses to shake OG Anunoby juuuust enough to bury a shuriken in his eye:
McCain moonwalks into a three over OG Anunoby
McCain likely won’t score like this when the team’s fully healthy (and he’s cooled off the last two games), but the fact that he can is a great sign for the team’s present and future.
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has risen to second place thanks to an excellent recent stretch. Since becoming a starter, Castle’s averaged 15 points, three boards, and five assists while playing ferocious defense.
Castle is incredibly versatile. At nearly 6’6” pre-shoes and pre-hair, he has the size and speed to fill any number of roles. As I wrote about at length here, he’s quickly becoming the perfect amorphous fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Although his three-point accuracy is still developing, Castle’s confidence in his shot is the skeleton key that unlocks the rest of his offensive game. And the more effective he is on offense, the more opportunity he’s given to create absolute havoc on defense.
I’m particularly intrigued by his ability to be a faux-big man in the screen and roll:
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
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Replay The Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers with a stellar performance from Trae Young, who recorded 20 points and 22 assists. This victory highlighted Young’s exceptional playmaking abilities. (Peachtree Hoops)
Roster Second-round pick Nikola Djurisic made his G-League debut, showcasing potential for the Atlanta Hawks. This debut marks a significant step in his development. (AJC)
Biz The Hawks’ surprising win cost them $100,000 due to the NBA’s player participation policy. (CBS Sports)
Must Read LaMelo’s proclivity for fouls, how many wins Philadelphia needs for the play-in, examining OKC’s defense, and more. (ESPN+)
Feel Good The Pistons’ willingness to spend, the Nets’ and Lakers’ new coach, and more things for each NBA team to be thankful for. (CBS Sports)
Analysis A roundtable of experts discusses the league’s biggest storylines after the first month of the season. (Fansided)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
In case you missed it...
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest | Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury could sideline him for at least a week, impacting fantasy basketball strategies. This opens opportunities for players like John Collins, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to increase their roles and fantasy value.
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues | Monday’s NBA action saw significant fantasy basketball impacts, with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs suffering hamstring injuries, potentially increasing roles for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hawks podcasts.
Best offensive night of season leads Hawks to upset win over Cavs The episode touches on Atlanta’s best offensive performance of the 2024-25 season, a three-point barrage, Trae Young’s 22-assist gem, a strong-willed defensive performance, Zaccharie Risacher’s big third quarter, a bounce-back from Onyeka Okongwu, the $100,000 fine levied to the Hawks by the NBA, and much more.
Familiar script unfolds for Hawks in home loss to Mavericks The show centers on a familiar script for the Hawks against the Mavericks, including a rough offensive night, issues with three-point defense, a struggling bench unit, and much more.
Hawks Mailbag: Offense vs. Defense, Turnovers, Expectations, and more Topics include the struggling offense for the Atlanta Hawks, positive signs on defense, realistic expectations for the 2024-25 team, making sense of the team’s turnover issues, and much more.
