The Atlanta Hawks gave Georges Niang the start in the first game he and fellow deadline acquisitions Caris LeVert and Terance Mann were active following their trades from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Washington Wizards.
Niang got off to a rough start in his debut, going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc. After halftime and a hit to the eye in the third quarter, Niang went off.
He rattled in four straight threes in less than three minutes.
Niang shooting that thang 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mh7I7E9Z7Y
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 9, 2025
Niang and LeVert were both part of the trade that sent De’Andre Hunter to the Cavs. The Hawks also received two first-round pick swaps and three second-round picks.
He arrived averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. This is his sixth time in the past seven seasons shooting at least that well from downtown.
He also snagged 6 rebounds, dished out 2 assists, and had 2 steals deep into the third frame.
It was a quiet night late into the third for LeVert and Mann. LeVert (10.2/3.7/2.8, 40.5% 3P) had 9 points on 2-for-6 shooting (1-for-4 3P) and 4 personal fouls through three quarters.
Mann (6.0/2.9/1.6, 34.7% 3P) who arrived as part of the trade that sent Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Los Angeles Clippers, had 4 pts on 2-for-4 shooting, 1 dime, and 1 board. Both LeVert and Mann did show off their cutting prowess, though.
Niang proved his wares, which is key with typical starter Jalen Johnson out for the season.
The Hawks came away with a big win on the night too, beating the Wizards 125-111 to notch their second straight victory following the trade deadline.
There will be plenty of ups and downs, along with some disappointments. But the Hawks are off to as good of a start with their new-look roster. They entered the night 2.0 games out of the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Perhaps they can go on an unexpected run like the did in 2020-21.
That run involved a coaching change. This time, it could be a series of trades that spark the Hawks to the postseason and, hopefully, and deep trek into them.
With so many questions looming on the horizon this offseason, making the most of this one is paramount. The Hawks are off to a good start, and their performances have featured elements that should be repeatably going forward, which may be the most encouraging thing about it.