For the second consecutive game, the Atlanta Hawks blew a double-digit, third quarter lead, this time to the Minnesota Timberwolves. With a final score of 125-113, this is the Hawks seventh straight loss.
It was a rough overall night for the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young and Jabari Parker were the top contributors and were two of the three players to score in double figures for the Hawks. A number of regular contributors failed to make an impression Monday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As a team, the Hawks struggled. They shot a rough 31.2 percent from the 3-point line and had 26 assists to 17 turnovers. They trailed by as much as 10 in the first half, regrouped and built a 12 point lead in the third quarter, and watched it all blow away as they trailed by 14 in the final minutes of the fourth.
Trae Young continued his tear on the season and furthered his name in All-Star considerations by dropping 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists. Aside from the high numbers, it wasn’t Young’s game. His 37 points came on 11-28 shooting and his 9 assists came at the costs of 7 turnovers. Had Young connected on more of his shots and cleaned up some of his sloppy passes, perhaps the Hawks would’ve made the game closer, but with lackluster performances from his teammates, there is little he could’ve done on his own to will the team to a win.
The second star for Atlanta tonight was Jabari Parker. Unlike Young, Parker was efficient from everywhere on the floor, other than from behind the arc. If his effectiveness as a second option continues, the Hawks will have to decide if they’d like to use him as a trade chip or if they’d like to pay him more money in the event he opts out of his player option this summer.
Bruno Fernando was the third and final Hawk to score in double-digits. In what turned out to be a career game for the former Maryland center, Fernando scored 13 points — a career high — and grabbed 4 rebounds. Fernando can hopefully become the second big-man in Atlanta’s front court next to John Collins that Alex Len and Damian Jones have failed to be.
The fourth highest scorer for Atlanta was a five-way tie. De’Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish, Damian Jones, Allen Crabbe, and DeAndre’ Bembry all scored seven points. Crabbe, Bembry, and Jones all shot efficiently (42.9, 75.0, and 100.0 percent respectively) from the field, while Hunter (30.0 percent) and Reddish (20.0 percent) struggled to hit anything. Hunter has been exceptional lately, and this was Reddish’s first game back from injury, so there’s no need to read too much into their rough shooting night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves had an all-around team effort. Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins combined for 53 points and 19 rebounds, Jarrett Culver poured in 14 points, while Gorgui Dieng and Kieta Bates-Diop each contributed 13. This was an important win for the Timberwolves as they fight for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference.
Atlanta’s next chance to redeem themselves and break their losing streak comes on Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.