Tonight the Atlanta Hawks fell to the Charlotte Hornets (102-94)
The Hawks started slow offensively shooting just (1-7) in the first few minutes of the game. Charlotte came out the gate with flair and they were putting up shots at a quick pace starting the game with a (10-4) lead.
The Hornets remained on fire for most of the first quarter forcing the Hawks to take a timeout and look to regroup after the Hornets took a (17-6) lead with four minutes.
In the first eight minutes of the game, Hornets forward scored 8 points including two three point shots. The Hawks continued to struggle for the remainder of the first quarter. The Hawks shot (5-22) from the floor and (1-10) from three point land and trailed Charlotte (27-11) at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter wasn’t much better for the Hawks. John Collins was the most active player on both ends of the floor for the Hawks. John finished the first half with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Trae Young, Cam Reddish and Clint Capela all struggled. Trae finished with first half with just 2 points and 7 turnovers. Cam Reddish was (1-7) from the floor and Clint Capela was scoreless.
For the Hornets, Gordon Hayward led all scorers with 25 points as the Hornets took a (59-40) lead into halftime.
Things didn’t change much in the third quarter. The Hawks were able to cut the Hornets lead slightly in the third quarter but they were still down (67-81) headed into the final quarter.
Everything changed for the Hawks in the fourth quarter. After playing flat for the first three quarters, the Hawks came out and looked like a different team in the final twelve minutes of the game.
Hawks point guard Brandon Goodwin came off the bench playing 16 straight minutes giving the Hawks a much needed spark. The Hawks went on a (9-2) run to start the fourth and they were able to take the lead with under six minutes left thanks to a (19-4) fourth quarter run.
Despite the Hawks late run, Hornets star Gordon Hayward was just too much tonight for Hawks defenders. Gordan Hayward was (15-25) from the field finishing with a career high 44 points. Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball had a big night off the bench. Ball finished the night with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.
For the Hawks, big man John Collins was the brightest star in an Atlanta uniform. Collins played a huge part in the Hawks chipping away at the Hornets lead. Collins finished the night with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Kevin Huerter added 19 points including shooting (5-12) from three point land.
Hawks all-star Trae Young started slow and finished the game with 7 points on (2-9) shooting and 5 rebounds.
The Hawks are back in action on Saturday as they face the Charlotte Hornets in Charlotte.
Stay tuned to TheseUrbanTimes.com for all your Atlanta Hawks and NBA news. Follow @eldorado2452 and @theseurbantimes on twitter and instagram for all your Atlanta Hawks and NBA updates.
