Atlanta Hawks Player Grades From First Loss of Season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 30, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 145-141. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on December 30, 2020 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 145-141. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Recapping the Atlanta Hawks’ Wednesday matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.

The Atlanta Hawks faced off with the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, suffering their first loss of the season. The team continued their scorching-hot start on offense,  scoring 68 points in the first half.

The defense just wasn’t there, however and they simply couldn’t get stops when they needed to. Kyrie Irving came alive after a rough first half and while Trae Young was able to go toe-to-toe with him fairly well, the veteran had the last laugh.

A pair of John Collins free throws cut the Brooklyn lead to just one with 45 seconds to play but a quick response by Kyrie pushed it back to three. A missed Bogdan Bogdanovic trey on the next possession essentially sealed the game.

In the end, the defense did the team in. The final score was 145-141. For a non-overtime game that’s an extremely high score and proves that a top-tier offense can still lose because of their D.

The two teams play again, this time in Atlanta, on Friday. Fans of defensive battles might not want to tune in to that one. Hawks move to 3-1 on the season, let’s get to player grades.