Shooting 28.7 and 27.7 percent from range in your opening pair of games isn't typically a recipe for success.
Despite this sluggish start from deep for Atlanta, they managed to begin the season 1-1, with a less-than-stellar shortcoming against Toronto and a miraculous comeback victory against Orlando. Finally, the floodgates opened from range for the Hawks against the defending champs - right when they needed it.
Surely, after finally putting the last piece together, the Hawks would have been able to at least be competitive against OKC - right?
Unfortunately for Trae Young and company, while long-range shooting bore sweet fruit all night long, the interior attack completely dried up. The Hawks only managed a minuscule 32 points in the paint in what can be deemed as nothing less than categorically insufficient against the powerhouse that is OKC, and as a result, the stellar shooting was nothing more than a consolation prize.
Additionally, the bout with OKC represented the first time this year that Atlanta was on the negative end of the game's turnover differential. Their four fewer turnovers against Toronto and five fewer against Orlando helped stymy each opponent's run, but the opposite was true against the champs. While Atlanta only committed a modest 16 turnovers, they were only able to force a mere 12 from OKC.
Look for Atlanta to bounce back in the paint when healthy
The most visually obvious missing piece against Oklahoma City was Jalen Johnson.
All night long, you had to wonder, what if Jalen was healthy and applying rim pressure? The remainder of the roster, with the exception of Trae, wasn't particularly successful at beating the initial POA (point of attack) defender. As such, the offense stagnated on the perimeter time and again.
With a healthy Jalen, teams struggle to contain the explosive duo of JJ and Ice Trae from getting into the teeth of the defense and making a play on the rim, or dishing out to ready and willing shooters.
Additionally, Kristaps Porzingis' interior presence was missed on both ends of the court. While his towering defensive presence certainly would've helped to contain the dynamic duo of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, his post-game would've provided a welcome alternative to the often muted offense that resulted on the other end.
With a healthy Johnson and Porzingis, not to mention Risacher going forward, look for Atlanta to bounce back in a big way against an easier opponent, the Brooklyn Nets.