Grading the return of De’Andre Hunter to the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks had a bad loss against the Miami Heat. However, there was a bright light at the end of the tunnel. The Hawks welcomed back their third cornerstone, De’Andre Hunter who came back after being out for just over two months due to surgery on his right wrist.
Hunter was not put back into the starting unit straight away. The Hawks used Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot in the starting lineup, bringing Hunter on after almost nine minutes had elapsed in the game. It took him just under three minutes of court time before he scored his first points back.
Hunter stroked a 3-ball with 14 seconds left in the period and it was money from the moment it left his hand. He did not wait as long in the second period, hitting his second 3-ball of the game 40 seconds after the period started.
The Atlanta Hawks need more of what De’Andre Hunter can bring.
Hunter would finish the game with 15 points, one rebound, one steal, and one block. His net impact on the box score was minus 20 but the way that he played was not indicative of this, Hunter looked like he has not been off the court. It is obvious that he continued to put in the work, even when sidelined through injury.
He made several good cuts. On one he received a pass from Danilo Gallinari, but he was blocked at the rim, causing a jump ball. He beat Omar Yurtseven in the contest despite giving up five inches in height. He was blocked a couple of times but worked his way into his shot near the rim in a positive manner.
He collected two fouls on two concurrent plays. He drew an offensive foul on Dewayne Dedmon before making his way down the court and was fouled by Tyler Herro. This kind of play will be very helpful for the Hawks when they are able to get everyone back on the court.
dark. Next. The Hawks need to make this trade with the Sacramento Kings
However, it was the work that he put into helping his teammates on defense that sets Hunter apart from his others. When Onyeka Okongwu fouled Duncan Robinson on a 3-ball, Hunter was the first player over to the second-year man, getting in his ear and coaching him up. It is this kind of teamwork, as well as his production, that will help the Hawks get back to where they belong.
Grade: A