This Day In Hawks History: March 19th
By Jason Marks
2001: Hawks vs. Lakers (Philips Arena)
The 2000s began the dark days of the Atlanta Hawks, and was also the rise of Phil Jackson’s 2nd championship dynasty.
Atlanta was heading into the game with a 20-47 record and lost the last 12 out of 14 games.
Philips Arena packed in 19,707 people on this night as fans came to see the Los Angeles Lakers duo of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.
Though Kobe and Shaq would score 27 points each, it was the Jason Terry show. You heard that right, Atlanta’s Jason Terry would score 36 points for ATL including 5-9 from 3PT.
The Lakers outrebounded the Hawks 60-37 (13 of those grabbed by O’Neal), but 38 turnovers would plague them as the Hawks took down the Lakers in front of a home crowd 108-106.
Toni Kukoc, who played for Phil Jackson in Chicago prior to his arrival in Atlanta, finished with 26 points 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and a block.
The Hawks would finish 25-57 under first year coach Lon Kruger, as the Lakers would go on to win an NBA Title as they disposed of Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers in 5 games.