UPDATE: The Atlanta Hawks faced a shocking defeat against the Toronto Raptors, losing 138-118 in their season opener on October 25, 2023. After a preseason filled with optimism, the Hawks fell short at home, raising urgent concerns about their performance.
In a night to forget for the Hawks, they were dominated in the paint, outscored 86-56, and lost the fastbreak battle 34-11. This significant loss prompted a candid response from star player Trae Young, who stated, “I don’t think there’s too many positives you can take from tonight. It’s embarrassing the way we started it.”
Young, who scored 22 points and dished out 5 assists, struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 1 of 7 three-point attempts. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson shone offensively with 22 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds in his first game since shoulder surgery. Kristaps Porzingis made his debut with the Hawks, contributing 20 points and 7 rebounds.
However, the Hawks’ new addition, Dyson Daniels, found himself in foul trouble and finished with just 4 points. Fellow newcomer Nickeil Alexander-Walker also had a rough night, shooting 2-for-15 and totaling 10 points.
The Raptors, on the other hand, celebrated a record-setting performance on opening night, with RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes combining for 47 points, helping the team shoot an impressive 56.8% from the field.
Looking ahead, the Hawks face a challenging schedule, with 9 of their first 14 games away from home. Their next test is scheduled against the Orlando Magic on October 27, followed by a home game against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “There are a lot of things the Hawks need to clean up, especially getting back on defense.” Johnson echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team’s need for better rotations and defensive cohesion.
As the Hawks regroup, Young highlighted the importance of developing chemistry with new teammates, saying, “I got to figure out how we need to jell together… we need time to jell. But obviously, we want results right away.”
The urgency for a turnaround is palpable as the Hawks aim to bounce back quickly from this disappointing start to the season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how they respond in the coming games.
