Atlanta Hawks can still control their Emirates NBA Cup destiny

Don’t panic, Hawks fans. Atlanta can still advance in the Emirates NBA Cup.

Even after their disheartening loss to the Chicago Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks will likely have a clear path to winning East Group C and qualifying for the Knockout Rounds. They just have to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 29.

Despite their win over the Hawks, the Bulls still rank fourth in the group with a 1-2 record behind Atlanta, Boston, and Cleveland. In their last game of Group Play, the Bulls will take on the Celtics in a game they will rightfully head into as massive underdogs.

The Hawks’ NBA Cup upset of the Celtics could be the reason they advance

Thanks to their historic win over the Celtics at the start of the tournament, the Hawks will control their destiny assuming Boston takes care of business against Chicago. If Atlanta takes down Cleveland and Boston beats Chicago, both the Hawks and Celtics will finish atop East Group C with a 3-1 record. However, the Hawks would win the group’s head-to-head record via their electric win over the defending champs.

Of course, the Hawks need to upset the Cavaliers for any of this to happen. The two teams will face off in Cleveland two days before their NBA Cup duel. The NBA Cup matchup will happen in Atlanta where the home crowd will look to make a difference in what could be the most high-stakes Hawks game so far this season.

Players will earn over $500,000 if their team wins the NBA Cup. For Atlanta’s two-way players and end-of-rotation pieces, that kind of prize money would mean a lot. With the Hawks already in need of some positive vibes and momentum, a group-clinching win over the top-seeded Cavs could deliver that and more.

The Hawks will need Trae Young at his best to take down the Cavs

It is no secret that Trae Young has struggled with his efficiency to start the season. The Hawks fanbase is already dividing itself on social media with some fans giving up on Young, some placing blame on Quin Snyder, and others electing to stay patient and optimistic.

In the case of Ice Trae, fans should realize slow starts are nothing new for the All-Star point guard. Nonetheless, his 38.4% shooting from the field needs to positively regress sooner rather than later.

If the Hawks are to upset the Cavs and likely set themselves up for a shot at the NBA Cup, they will need Young to have the ultimate get-right game. Against a Cavs defense that leans on its interior presence, Young will need to expose some of Cleveland’s weaker perimeter defenders like Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell. 

Out of Young’s 19 career outings against Cleveland, none held more importance than Atlanta’s play-in win in 2022. Young knocked the Cavs out of the playoffs and clinched the No. 8 seed for the Hawks, turning in a vintage performance in the process. Young dropped 38 points and nine assists on 13/25 shooting to send Cleveland home. If that version of Young shows up on Nov. 29, the Hawks will be a tough team to stop. 

Despite their disappointing 7-10 record, the Hawks possess deep talent at every position. They may need something as simple as an Ice Trae turnaround to get back on track and push for playoff contention.

The Hawks will have a chance to show what they’re truly made of when they play their first must-win game of the campaign.