Atlanta Hawks: Studs and duds from first home loss of the season

1 of 3

Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Hawks were never going to go undefeated at home, that much is for sure. Yes, it was the second night of a back-to-back. Still, most people likely didn’t foresee the first loss at State Farm Arena coming against a Utah Jazz team playing without Donovan Mitchell. As Hawks fans can attest, playing without your best player is a big hindrance.

Things seemed to be going mostly according to plan as they held the Jazz to just 15 points on 26.3 percent shooting in the first quarter. Unfortunately, the Hawks could muster just 16 points on 29.2 percent shooting.

Both teams were awful from three-point range. But Utah managed to be a little less so, shooting 25 percent from deep in the first half while Atlanta shot 2-of-16; just 12.5 percent.

They would pay for their inability to extend their lead beyond one point.

The Atlanta Hawks have the same record (and similar chemistry issues) as last season

The Jazz and, more specifically, Jordan Clarkson came alive in the third quarter. Still, the Hawks took a 77-76 lead with 11:36 on the clock on a Lou Williams jumper. They would see the visitors go on a 16-4 run that would essentially put the game out of reach. Atlanta would be outscored by 17 points in the fourth quarter alone.

After the game, Trae Young would speak on the team’s need to figure out their rotations and roles; a refrain often repeated by Nate McMillan over the summer. Young — who had 21 points, seven assists, and four rebounds — also spoke of his need to be more aggressive early.

"“I’m not being like myself, I’m not being aggressive first. I’m trying to get everybody involved and trying to look for everybody and scoring second, and I think that’s messing up a lot of my rhythm and a lot of my shots…”"