Hawks snap four-game skid, down Grizzlies in Memphis
The Hawks needed something to snap them out of their recent funk. They found it just off Beale Street after holding on to down the Grizzlies 124-122 on Wednesday night.
At the FedEx Forum in Memphis, the Hawks took the game down to the wire after a Jalen Johnson step-back midrange fell short. But the Hawks ran, getting to the defensive end in time to stop a turnaround 3-point jumper from Ja Morant.
“We like our odds,” Johnson said on the postgame broadcast. “I should have made that last shot. But we got a stop. Fortunately, (Morant) fumbled the ball at the end. So, that kind of spared us a little bit. But overall, we just did a great job executing those last five minutes and I think if we can have that carry over into these games moving forward, we’ll be alright.”
The victory snapped the Hawks’ four-game losing skid.
Quick stats: Johnson had 32 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Luke Kennard, who shot perfectly from the floor in the first half, finished with 18 points on 4-of-5 shooting from deep.
Turning point
The Hawks went into halftime up 66-59 after putting up 35 points in the second quarter. The Hawks had bounced back from a 12-1 hole to begin the game in the first quarter, and it seemed like momentum could follow them.
But the Hawks opened the second half much like they did the first after the Grizzlies put the pressure on them. The Hawks took rushed shots, struggled to stop the Grizzlies’ attack in the paint, spotting them an 11-2 run. The Grizzlies eventually outscored the Hawks 36-28 to take a one-point lead into the final quarter.
Highlight play
The Hawks signed Christian Koloko to a two-way contract five days ago to add some depth to their frontcourt. With Mo Gueye in foul trouble, the Hawks tapped Koloko for minutes at center.
Koloko made the most of those minutes and got active quickly, making a dunk just 16 seconds after checking into the game.
Koloko had a solid night in his Hawks debut, hitting a big 3 that forced the Grizzlies to call a timeout after the Hawks went up 108-107. He finished with seven points, one steal and one block.
What they said
“I think just playing with pace. The more we get out and run in transition, the more lethal we are. And I think we did a great job starting to half like that. And in the second half we had a little slow start, but fortunately, we were able to pick it back up and continue what we’re doing.” -- Johnson on the Hawks’ offensive priorities to Matt Winer via the FanDuel Sports broadcast.
“Christian, his first game, to be thrown in those situations, and then when O (Onyeka Okongwu) fouled out, to go back in the game, shows a lot of poise. It was big for us to have those minutes today.” -- Hawks coach Quin Snyder on Koloko’s minutes to JR McHenry via the FanDuel Sports broadcast.
“When you know you feel like you’re doing some good things, but you’re not rewarded on the scoreboard, if you’re 1-for-21 or 1-for-20, or whatever we were the other night. But I think our guys were focused mentally, and we knew Memphis has started games really strong. And, when we took that first timeout, I think our guys really collected themselves. And you know, the next however many minutes, we really raised our level and had more urgency. So that was good to see.” -- Snyder to Bob Rathbun on the FanDuel Sports broadcast about the validation Wednesday’s win provides.
Up next
The Hawks return home to host the Suns on Friday at State Farm Arena.
About the Author
