The Atlanta Hawks (24-23) had their five-game winning streak snapped with a 122-118 loss to the visiting Charlotte Hornets. There were several opportunities to put away a game in which the Hawks led by as many as 19 points only to suffer their 12th clutch loss of the season. They also have 12 clutch wins so things balanced out more than anything.
This one seemingly didn’t have to be with questionable coaching decisions and shot selection leaving plenty of “blame” to go around – this was a team loss.
Except it wasn’t.
It turns out, per the NBA’s last two-minute report, the foul called on second-year Hawks forward Jalen Johnson — putting Hornets guard Terry Rozier to the line for a pair of game-winning free throws — shouldn’t have been, the Hawks should have gotten the ball back up by one point.
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young slams NBA’s last two-minute report
“Nobody tryna hear that s*** now. Ref swore it was a foul during the game. Smh @NBA,” tweeted Trae Young following the release showing the error in favor of Charlotte that affected the outcome of the game to a point. No one should argue that the Hawks didn’t have plenty of opportunities to make good but came up short.
Johnson had a much more reserved reaction, also on social media.
🤦🏽♂️ smh https://t.co/TyNDFPH5Se
— Jalen Johnson (@Jalen_J23) January 23, 2023
Young had 25 points and 12 assists with five rebounds, though he also turned the ball over six times and had some questionable shot selection. He also went 1-for-6 from the floor in the final 12 minutes for just two points. Johnson, who had five rebounds and one assist, saw eight minutes and 33 seconds in the contest with only four seconds coming in the frame.
That does not excuse the glaring miss by the officials nor does it do any good to know that they can admit their mistake at this point.
The last two-minute report has come under fire since its inception in 2015.
First, it was the officials who pushed back on its release since it clearly opens them up to criticism they feel is undue. The driving force behind the calls to do away with it now, however, has been coaches and players who can only acknowledge how little it helps.
At any rate, Young credited the Hornets for getting out to a fast start as well as for blitzing to get the ball out of his and Dejounte Murray’s hands. He also singled out Charlotte big men Mason Plumlee (25 points and 11 rebounds) and Mark Williams (8pts, seven rebounds, three steals) for disrupting the passing lanes.
The Hawks got 25-plus points apiece from Murray, Young, and De’Andre Hunter as well as clutch free throws and a putback from big man Clint Capela.
It was all for naught.
Atlanta is left to focus on starting another winning streak as they set off to play on the road in seven of their next eight games. They are 11-13 away from State Farm Arena this season so they will have to be ready to meet the challenge.