Towns Scores 56 as Hawks Fall to Wolves

The Hawks looked sharp throughout this game and ended up with 6 players in double figures, including 4 of the 5 starters. Dennis Schröder sat out this game due to an ankle injury.

Leading the starters with 21 points On 7 of 14 shooting (4 of 5 from deep), Taurean Prince continues to play well as the linchpin of Atlanta’s starting unit. Prince was also looking to make the right pass on this night, as he dimed up scorers for 7 assists.

However, sometimes those best-laid plans went awry, as he also totaled a massive 7 of the Hawks’ 20 turnovers.

Isaiah Taylor, starting in place of Schröd, had his second straight 20-point outing, punctuated by this sweet, springboard hammer dunk in transition:

Taylor has really picked up his play in the latter portion of this season, and he needed only 11 shot attempts to log those 20 points, which was mostly due to his career-high 8 free throws and 9 free throw attempts. Taylor also dropped a career-high 8 assists, and his recent run of strong showings should certainly merit a roster spot for Taylor from the Hawks (or another team) next season and beyond.

Speaking of highlights, John Collins pounced out of the gate and provided two rollicking dunks including this spectacular off-the-dribble, spin move tomahawk slam against Dieng:

That followed his first field goal of the game, which was a top of the arc three-pointer, which he drilled with ease. It was nice to see Collins step outside of his usual offensive game, and produce off the dribble, as well as hit deep threes up top — two things he has not shown a knack for so far this season.

Collins was definitely outmatched by KAT in this one, as his relatively few 24 minutes would indicate. Still though, JC managed to notch 10 points (4 of 6 shooting), 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in that limited playing time.

Elsewhere among the starters Damion Lee, who dislocated his pinky finger early in the 1^st, came back and played 30 minutes – hustling his way to 8 points, 4 rebounds, and career-highs of 5 assists and 3 steals.

Dewayne Dedmon picked up his 13^th double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds, though he was in deep foul trouble all night against the Towns.

Off the bench for the Hawks, it’s all about Musky. Mike Muscala, only 2 weeks removed from a career-high 19 points against the Bulls, poured in a striking new career-high of 24 points versus the Wolves on the back of a white-hot 8 of 10 shooting performance, including 4 of 6 from deep and 4 of 4 from the line.

Musky was automatic, and his clutch shooting kept this bout close throughout, including on a late 8-0 surge in the 4^th quarter that cut Minnesota’s lead to 6 with 4:31 remaining in the game.

Josh Magette got an extended run in this game with DS17 out, and his dazzling passing skills are truly eye-popping. Sure, he might not be the best athlete in the game, but the craft and pace with which he plays are worthwhile for any organization – especially a Hawks team in the first year of its rebuild. Magette finished with only 3 points on 1 of 4 shooting in 26 minutes, but piled up 5 assists, 2 steals and a rebound.

Tyler Cavanaugh was the only other notable performer on this night, and his effort and energy jumped off the stat sheet (and screen) on the way to 10 points and 6 rebounds in only 16 minutes of play. Sure, he was no match for the gargantuan size and length of Towns (again, who was on this night?), but his drive and competitiveness make him an entertaining and effective player.

Next: 5 Possible Top-Five Picks in 2018 Draft for Hawks

The Hawks return to action on Friday back home at Philips Arena for a 7:30 p.m. EST tipoff against the smoking hot Philadelphia 76ers.