The Atlanta Hawks defeated the Detroit Pistons to secure their place in the Play-In Tournament. Even though many supporters did not think they would have a successful regular season, they will at least have an opportunity to compete in the postseason. What they do with the chance is up to them.
Atlanta has been severely impacted by injuries, but they have established a rhythm, winning six of their past seven games. Due to surgery on his finger, Trae Young is still out for the season, and Saddiq Bey is out with an ACL tear.
But this week saw the return of youngster Kobe Bufkin and Jalen Johnson to the starting lineup, which gave the Hawks’ recent success even more momentum.
To move further in the postseason, they hope to maintain this momentum over the course of the next week and a half.
Johnson Comes Back and Enjoys a Career Night
Against Detroit, the Hawks’ forward displayed his special combination of abilities.
On March 18, Johnson sprained his right ankle against the Los Angeles Lakers, missing six games as a result. While he was out, Vít Krejčí, a two-way forward, was given the starting role. On April 1, Johnson played against the Chicago Bulls again, but he was limited to 25 minutes off the bench. After making his first three shots of the game, he struggled the rest of the way, finishing with 11 points on 4 of 12 shots from the field.
When Atlanta’s young forward faced Detroit two days later, he played one of his best games to date from his regular starting position. With 28 points (10–14 FG), he tied his career high and added 11 rebounds, 14 assists, and 4 steals. The Hawks bench celebrated Johnson’s first triple-double after he received his tenth assist on a corner three by Garrison Mathews.
Quin Snyder, the head coach of the Hawks, was all praise for Johnson’s play after the game.
When Johnson addressed reporters, he praised his teammates highly. “Colleagues making open shots. Finally getting one [triple-double] felt nice. I’ve had a few close encounters,” Johnson remarked. Due to games missed, the 22-year-old forward for the Hawks is not eligible for Most Improved Player, but his season-long development has garnered attention from the media and other players throughout the league.
After recovering from a knee ailment, Snyder decided to take Hunter off the bench. In fewer minutes, the former University of Virginia forward averaged 16 points, demonstrating good response. Hunter was compelled to return to the starting lineup due to Bey and Johnson’s injuries, though.
The switch went well, and when Johnson returned to the starting lineup against the Pistons, he maintained his excellent play.
Over his previous eight games, Hunter is averaging 17.3 points, five of which involve at least 40 percent of his points coming from outside the arc. Of those games, he has scored more than twenty points four times. In the Hawks’ most recent win over the Pistons, Hunter contributed an efficient 26 points on 11-16 shooting.
