The street journey hasn’t been type to the Atlanta Hawks to date. Since being aggressive in opposition to the Nuggets within the first half on Wednesday, Atlanta has performed 10 quarters of awful basketball. Tonight the Hawks had been largely uncompetitive in a loss to the Clippers and now they’ve misplaced three straight and are 18-18 general. Now, Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic had been out for 2 of the three losses, however the Hawks performed sloppy basketball and let an enormous second quarter from the Clippers resolve the sport.
One of many issues early within the Hawks’ season was that in the event that they misplaced, they might have one horrible quarter per recreation, which might give the sport a lopsided outcome. Tonight it occurred within the second quarter. The Clippers outscored the Hawks 45-26 and went the remainder of the best way in opposition to the short-handed Atlanta workforce when Kawhi Leonard returned. Now, the Hawks have two days to organize to face the Utah Jazz (one of many worst groups within the NBA) and attempt to get issues again on observe.
Tonight, the Hawks shot 43% from the sphere and 35% from three whereas turning the ball over 22 occasions. The Hawks’ protection was mediocre, however the offense being a turnover machine all evening put them in horrible positions and gave the Clippers many straightforward buckets. Younger led the best way with 20 factors and 14 assists, Zaccharie Risacher had a strong recreation with 13 factors, De’Andre Hunter had 18 off the bench and Garrison Matthews had 15, though 12 of they had been within the first half.
The Clippers shot 55% from the sphere and 36% from three tonight. They scored 74 factors within the paint and 69 factors off their bench. LA had eight gamers in double figures, together with 18 factors and 18 rebounds from Ivica Zubac, who dominated tonight. One other space the place the Clippers dominated was on quick break factors, profitable that battle 46-14, exhibiting simply how devastating the Hawks’ turnovers had been. The Clippers scored 32 factors off the Hawks’ 22 turnovers.
The Hawks starters tonight had been Trae Younger, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Vit Krejci and Clint Capela. The primary 5 Clippers had been James Harden, Kris Dunn, Norm Powell, Kawhi Leonari and Ivica Zubac,
The first quarter was marked by massive runs from each groups. After Krejci hit a 3 to present the Hawks a 14-13 lead, the Clippers responded with an enormous 16-0 run to go up 29-14 and it appeared like they took management of the sport early. Turnovers had been killing the Hawks they usually could not purchase a bucket. The remainder of the quarter was all Hawks. Inspired by robust quarters from Garrison Matthews (7 factors) coming off the bench and rookie Risacher (7 factors), Atlanta completed the quarter on a 14-0 run to chop the result in 29-28 earlier than the second quarter. The Hawks had been taking pictures 47% from the sphere and 46% from three and had seven turnovers.
Zacch BIG dunk on the break pic.twitter.com/nuFIOJhpJh
– Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 5, 2025
As quickly because the Hawks acquired again into the sport, they instantly acquired out of it and the explanations had been much like how they dug a gap early within the recreation. The Clippers had a 25-4 run within the second quarter they usually took over. A 39-35 Clippers lead instantly became a 61-39 Clippers lead and it reached 27 factors. Atlanta could not cease turning the ball over on offense and despite the fact that the protection wasn’t nice, the turnovers contributed to the poor defensive numbers.
The Hawks had been outscored 45-26 within the second quarter and despite the fact that they made a couple of baskets on the finish of the quarter, they trailed 74-54 earlier than going into the locker room. ATL shot 4-14 from three and had six turnovers whereas LAC was 7-11 from three within the second quarter.
At halftime, the Hawks had been taking pictures 42 p.c from the sphere and 36 p.c from three. In addition they had 13 turnovers in comparison with simply seven for the Clippers. Younger and Matthews had been the one Hawks in double figures and had 12 every.
The Clippers shot 55% from the sphere and 45% from three. Powell led the best way with 17 factors, Amir Coffey had 15 off the bench and Derrick Jones Jr had 12. 42 of the Clipippers’ 74 first-half factors had been within the paint.
Hoping to make a run to begin the second half and get again into the sport, the Hawks began De’Andre Hunter as a substitute of Krejci. The Hawks opened the quarter nicely, bringing the lead again to fifteen, thanks largely to a pair of threes from Trae Younger. Aside from Younger, the Hawks have struggled to get something going. Atlanta shot 3-11 from three within the third quarter and could not capitalize on some open appears to be like. Late within the quarter and trailing by 18, Younger discovered Hunter extensive open within the nook and he had an opportunity to chop it to fifteen, however missed. The Clippers then compelled two turnovers on possessions and Atlanta missed its probability to actually get again into it. The Clippers would take the result in 98-76 heading into the ultimate quarter.
The Hawks by no means managed a degree within the recreation and misplaced 131-105. They’re again on the sphere this Tuesday night in opposition to the Utah Jazz on the street.
