After a comfortable 98-80 win over the Phoenix Suns at Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas on Sunday, the Atlanta Hawks are 2-0 in Summer League play.
With contributions up and down the roster, Atlanta showed more cohesion and immediate energy than in their opener. All ten players who checked in scored for the Hawks, including five getting into double figures.
Unlike Friday’s comeback win over Miami, the Hawks raced out to a quick lead, leading 30-17 after an action-packed first quarter. They would not relinquish control, despite Phoenix cutting the difference down as low as 6 in the third quarter.
Jacob Toppin was the tone-setter for Atlanta
Toppin was everywhere in Sunday’s game. His pesky defense helped slow down a Suns offense that came out red-hot. After Phoenix connected on 4 of their first 5 attempts from the field, Atlanta’s defense stepped up.
Toppin’s statline (15 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal) looks strong, yet it still undersells his dominant performance. Toppin’s tenacious defense on the perimeter was a difference-maker for the Hawks today. On a team with Trae Young that requires quality perimeter defenders, it’s not far-fetched to see Toppin as a potential plug-and-play option deep on Atlanta’s bench.
Rookie first-round pick Asa Newell continued to show why he fills a role in Atlanta’s rotation, racking up his first professional double-double with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 1 block. He got off to a slower start in the first half, but began heating up in the paint after halftime.
Several times, Phoenix defenders tried to speed Newell’s internal clock before shooting, but the 19-year-old stayed calm and scored each time. That’s a strong sign toward improvement for one of Atlanta’s top young assets.
Kobe Bufkin couldn’t find his shooting touch from last time out, but was still able to contribute, dishing out 9 assists. Many might be turned off by the ice-cold 3-for-17 shooting, but the Michigan product was able to survey the defense expertly on Sunday. His ability to make plays for his teammates and impact the game without making shots was a promising sign that he may be able to fill the backup point guard role.
Atlanta is back in action for their third game of Summer League tomorrow, July 14 for a matchup with the Houston Rockets at 4:30 p.m. ET. Houston dropped a tight 3-point game to the L.A. Clippers before falling to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday afternoon. Kobe Bufkin's intense defense will be tested by the the 2024 3rd pick Reed Sheppard in what should be an exciting summer league game.