Atlanta Hawks lose a tight game against the Portland Trail Blazers – grades

Atlanta Hawks starting lineup grades:

De’Andre Hunter was in foul trouble most of the night which limited his impact. He continued to struggle from deep, going 1-of-5 from behind the line. Made it to the free-throw line nine times, making eight of them. Finished with 15 points and six rebounds in a solid, yet unspectacular night for the second-year man.

John Collins was another Hawks player with early foul trouble and this impacted his ability to have his usual impact on the night. Then he collected another two fouls at the start of the fourth period. He had only eight points and six rebounds for the night but worked really hard defensively against Kanter and Anthony. Offensively found good positions but the Hawks seemed not to use him enough.

Clint Capela played his best game as a member of the Atlanta Hawks. Finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks in 36 minutes of game time. Taking on a Trail Blazers team without their best pivot, Jusuf Nurkic. Capela should have had a night where he feasted and he did. Had a quieter second half where he only scored six points but had little frontcourt help meaning the Blazers played tighter on him.

Kevin Huerter had a nice game with 13 points, six points, and four assists which he just acquired throughout the game. Did not have any of his usual bursts of offense and his game just complimented the rest of the starters. The Hawks missed his spark off the bench due to him having to start in place of Reddish. Had the chance to bring it within two at the end but make the wrong call, turning the ball over.

Had a true Trae Young game and as a result, the Hawks were in the game all the way. He almost had a triple-double with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. He did have five turnovers, most of which in the second half. Did not shoot the ball well, going 7-of-23, and was again poor from deep going 1-of-9. Went 11-of-12 from the line which certainly helped his numbers. When he was in the pick-and-roll with Capela he looked like the Young from the start of the season.