Atlanta Hawks: 3 Takeaways from the hard-fought loss to Bucks

Atlanta Hawks: 3 Positive Takeaways from Sunday’s Loss to Bucks

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 13: Jeremy Lin #7 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on January 13, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Omari Spellman #6 of the Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Welcome returns

There were a few returns that took place in Atlanta yesterday, for both teams.

For the Bucks, coach Mike Budenholzer made his first coaching appearance in ATL since leaving for the Milwaukee gig last season, and fan favorite Ersan Ilyasova came back as well. He had played in 72 games on the Hawks during the previous 2 seasons.

On the other side, fans were welcoming back Omari Spellman, and Taurean Prince.

Spellman, who had been playing with the Erie Bayhawks of the G-League hadn’t played in a Hawks game since December 3rd. It was a solid return to action for the rookie, who got the start in place of Dewayne Dedmon, and put up 13 points (including a career-high 4 3-point makes), 6 boards, and a career-high 4 blocks.

Prince is the one fans were more excited about however, as the team missed his 15 points per game he was averaging at time of injury. Understandably, he was on a minutes restriction in his first game back, but took advantage of his 11 minutes with 7 points and 5 rebounds.

He likely won’t be rushed back into a ton of minutes right off the bat, but today showed promise of his bucket-getting abilities when fully healthy.

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