The Atlanta Hawks drained 20 threes en route to a fantastic 137-129 win over the Washington Wizards.
Trae Young gets a lot of ink around here, so I’d like to start off by marveling at the other two wondrous Atlanta Hawks rookies. What a spectacular young core the Hawks have on their hands.
Kevin Huerter, lovingly known as Red Pepper, continues to grow meteorically every night he steps on the court. Tonight he torched the Wizards for 19 points, flaunting surgical accuracy from deep (5-of-7 3PT) and lockdown defense.
The other first rounder, Omari Spellman, had about as loud of a “Don’t you dare send me back to the G-League” outing as ever, recording 16 points and 10 rebounds. Oh, and the big man can pass too?
Rookie 2️⃣ rookie. Sexy basketball from Omari Spellman and Kevin Huerter. pic.twitter.com/hxKdnla7Q1
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) February 5, 2019
Combined, those two rooks went 12-for-22 from behind the arc. Nuts.
That was part of a team-wide trend for hunting and making the downtown J. The Atlanta Hawks made 20, (20!) three pointers while shooting a maniacal 48.8% from deep.
If you need to see just one sequence that showcases how well the Hawks were shooting, see below:
Nothing but net and glass. https://t.co/qPsiBRAUGM
— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) February 5, 2019
Everybody, young and old alike, got in on the triple frenzy, which brings me to my next maxim–one that I will probably end up getting tatted on my body at some point before I die.
It’s Vince Carter‘s world and we’re just living in it.
He literally DID NOT PLAY IN THE FIRST HALF, but came in and went supernova in the third period.
The explosion from “Half-Man, Half-His Age,” as Atlanta Hawks broadcaster Bob Rathbun playfully called him on air, resulted in 11 points over the course of 5 minutes in that third quarter. Carter ended his night 16 loud ones.
TALK TO 'EM pic.twitter.com/FRNZSaR8Ch
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 5, 2019
As Atlanta head coach Lloyd Pierce said after the game, Vince’s energy was a big part of why the young Hawks were able to keep their composure and the lead when the Wizards fought back to make it interesting.
What a game for Carter.
Taurean Prince also had his best night in a while, scoring a team-high 21 points while hitting 5 threes.
Hopefully John Collins is okay. He left after taking some fingernails to the face. I guess that’s the only way teams can stop him now.
John Collins had 15 points and 11 rebounds in 17 minutes before getting a cut over his eye just before the end of the half. pic.twitter.com/XTaO2f1HDm
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) February 5, 2019
The Atlanta Hawks end their cross-country 7-game road trip with four wins. What a weird, goofy, wonderful stretch. This team can shoot the lights out, it’s just a matter of getting enough stops. When that happens, this team has the potential to be as dangerous as anyone.
Nine Hawks scored in double figures. Now that’s balance.
What a win!
The future is bright, yes, but the present is fun.