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 Four-Pack of Wins for the Hawks
Dec 29, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter (12) dunks for a basket against the Toronto Raptors in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton/Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
In early December 2022, the Atlanta Hawks were 13-10 before suffering a three-game losing streak. Since then, the organization had not reached three games over the .500 mark in more than two calendar years, but that changed for Atlanta on Sunday evening. The Hawks blasted the Toronto Raptors by a 29-point margin, pulling away in the second half, and that improved Atlanta’s record to 18-15 for the season.
It was also the fourth straight win for the Hawks to close 2024. Overall, it was a strong two-way performance for Quin Snyder’s team, but it was also marked by some absolutely wild statistics.
At the top of the list was the Hawks generating 22 steals in a game in which havoc-creating ace Dyson Daniels was unavailable due to illness. It was the most steals that the team has generated in a game since 1998, and Atlanta came within one steal of tying the franchise record of 23. Led by that live-ball creation, the Hawks finished with 31 turnovers created, shattering their previous season high on the defense.
Candidly, the Raptors’ lack of ball security had a lot to do with Atlanta’s defensive showing. Still, the Hawks held Toronto to fewer than a point per possession over 48 minutes, and Atlanta allowed Toronto to attempt only 24 three-pointers in the game.
On the offensive side, Trae Young bolstered his Eastern Conference Player of the Week case with a 34-point, 10-assist performance. Atlanta’s offense also performed quite well on the whole, but it wasn’t the lights-out shooting game one might expect from a 29-point blowout. Instead, it was a well-rounded effort that included strong ball security, potent offensive rebounding, high-end playmaking, and quality shot selection.
With the win, the Hawks are now sitting at No. 5 in the Eastern Conference and only 1.5 games out of the No. 4 spot as of Monday morning. Things are tightly bunched in the Eastern Conference but, as the Hawks begin a Western Conference swing to begin January, the team was able to bank important wins to finish 2024.
Dec 21, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a question during a post game interview after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Ed Szczepanski/Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fired on his way to meet his team at the airport, Anthony Edwards was fined again — this time a cool $100k — for profanity, Amen Thompson picked Tyler Herro up and skipped him like a stone over the hardwood floor, the Suns and Mavs got into it too, and D’Angelo Russell was traded to the Nets (again) in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. It was a busy weekend in the NBA.
But let’s not focus on the chaos. Let’s instead look to a milestone within the milieu of the NBA’s theatrics, one that’s sat looming, casting a long shadow over the league for years now and especially over LeBron James, who turns 40 today.
James is a rare athlete in many ways. He’s been dominant in every decade of his career — and it’s rare enough to pluralize “decade” when discussing the length of an athlete’s career — and at one point was the greatest athlete on the planet. He’s won NBA titles, Olympic gold medals, has played a huge role in furthering athlete autonomy and reshaping the public’s perception of what an athlete can do and be off the court (or field, rink, etc.) in terms of political and social awareness and advocacy. He’s the first ever athlete to play alongside his son at a professional level and he’s advanced, even introduced, the concept of recovery and physical and mental longevity for an athlete.
He’s also still capable of forcefully taking your breath away with a rousing block, dunk, and the ability to toss his team on his back and take control of the game — he’s still averaging 23.5 points, 9 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
James’ rarest attribute though is something of a double-edged sword: his longevity. The quality of longevity, pure staying power, James has maintained throughout his career is the kind of consistency we just don’t see in sports yet he’s made it feel routine, totally normal.
The gift of this for basketball fans has been having James as both a metronome and a backdrop for over 20 seasons. Other players have taken what he’s done and made their own improvisations, but he’s the rhythm that drives the game like he’s the mountain set at the horizon, offering a perennial sense of direction. What happens when these two constant factors aren’t there anymore?
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
Replay Relive the action as the Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Toronto Raptors with key plays and highlights. (Peachtree Hoops)
Injury Hawks fans, take note: Injury updates reveal changes impacting the lineup, including Okongwu’s status. (Soaring Down South)
Roster A G-League standout could be a potential replacement for the injured Hawks youngster, providing depth to the roster. (Soaring Down South)
Celebrate 40 great moments for LeBron James on his 40th birthday. (NBA.com)
Milestone By the numbers: a statistical look at NBA milestones as LeBron James turns 40. (TSN)
Biz A look inside Mike Brown’s final days with the Sacramento Kings. (The Athletic)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Implications Of The Lakers & Nets Trade
Dec 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) moves the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The NBA trade market is heating up, and the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have made the first significant move of the season. In a surprising turn of events, D’Angelo Russell is heading back to Brooklyn, while Dorian Finney-Smith makes his way to Los Angeles.
The trade details are as follows:
Brooklyn receives:
D’Angelo Russell
Maxwell Lewis (2023 second-round pick)
Three second-round picks
Los Angeles receives:
Dorian Finney-Smith
Shake Milton
This move has significant implications for both teams and fantasy basketball managers alike. For Brooklyn, Russell’s return could shake up their backcourt rotation. With Cam Thomas also returning from injury, the Nets suddenly have an abundance of scoring guards. While this might lead to some exciting offensive performances, it could also create a defensive nightmare for Brooklyn.
Noah Clowney’s value may see an uptick with Finney-Smith’s departure. The rookie has shown flashes of potential in recent games, and this trade could open up more consistent minutes for him. However, it’s important to temper expectations, as the Nets’ rotation remains fluid.
Ben Simmons’ role is now in question. With Russell taking over primary ball-handling duties, Simmons might see a reduction in minutes and usage. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation closely, as Simmons could become a potential drop candidate if his playing time dips significantly.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hawks podcasts.
Hawks create havoc, bludgeon Raptors for 4th straight victory The episode focuses on Sunday’s win for the Atlanta Hawks over the Toronto Raptors, headlined by Atlanta’s havoc creation even without Dyson Daniels, an utterly dominant game from Trae Young, De’Andre Hunter continuing to roll, the return of Onyeka Okongwu, and much more.
Hawks outlast Heat, wrap up homestand with third consecutive win The show centers on Saturday afternoon’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat, including a third straight victory, Jalen Johnson putting up big-time production, Trae Young’s passing, strong overall offense, a potent bench despite injury absences, and much more.
Fourth quarter comeback keys Hawks in wild win over Bulls Episode 1874 focuses on Thursday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Chicago Bulls, including a 50-point fourth quarter, the anatomy of a comeback, the offensive barrage in the second half, Jalen Johnson’s career-best scoring night, Trae Young leading the way, De’Andre Hunter’s red-hot stretch, and much more.
