By Tiffany Williams –
On Black Friday, the Atlanta Hawks faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in what turned out to be an exciting match, marking their fourth and final group play game of the Emirates NBA Cup 2024. The Hawks triumphed with a convincing score of 117-101, showcasing their offensive and defensive talent throughout the game.
De’Andre Hunter emerged as the standout player for the Hawks, leading the team in scoring with an impressive 23 points. His contributions were not limited to scoring; he also secured five defensive rebounds and dished out three assists, playing a crucial role in both ends of the court. Hunter’s ability to find the basket consistently kept the Cavaliers on their toes.
Trae Young, known for his playmaking skills, added 21 points to the Hawks’ tally. In addition to his scoring, Young accumulated three defensive rebounds and orchestrated the team’s offense with a remarkable 11 assists. With this performance, he extended his remarkable streak of recording five or more assists to an astounding 180 consecutive games, further solidifying his status as one of the league’s premier playmakers.
Jalen Johnson contributed significantly as well, scoring 20 points and helping in the rebounding department with nine defensive rebounds. Johnson’s all-around game also included seven assists, demonstrating his versatility and ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Clint Capela, although he scored just eight points, made his presence felt on the boards, gathering three offensive rebounds and ten defensive rebounds. He also contributed defensively with a well-rounded stat line that featured one assist, two steals, and three blocks, showcasing his defensive tenacity.
In addition to the core contributors, the Hawks received valuable support from other players. The duo of Risacher and Daniels combined to add 18 points. Meanwhile, Okongwu, Bogdanovic, and Bufkin collectively contributed 27 points, adding to the overall scoring effort that overwhelmed the Cavaliers.
The Hawks displayed impressive shooting during the match, finishing with 44 successful field goals out of 85 attempts, translating to a shooting percentage of approximately 51.8%. From beyond the arc, they managed to sink 14 out of 34 three-point attempts, while their efficiency from the free-throw line was noteworthy, converting 15 out of 18 attempts. The team’s ability to score on fast breaks was evident as they notched up ten points in transition, and they dominated the paint, scoring a remarkable 52 points inside.
Atlanta’s largest lead during the contest reached 20 points, a testament to their strong performance and teamwork throughout the game.
Sports Insider Daily 