On Thursday, Dec. 26, the Atlanta Hawks, now 16-15 overall, defeated the Chicago Bulls 141-133 in front of a capacity crowd at State Farm Arena.
The last time the Hawks led the game was at 11-9 early in the first quarter. That was moments before Carter started his assault and Levine woke up. The Bulls finished the game with three players having scored over 20 points (Levine, Carter, and Coby White). Atlanta would get as close as eight points following a three-pointer from Dyson Daniels and a layup from All-Star guard Trae Young at the four-minute mark. Another three-pointer from Young tied the game at 126 and a dunk by Jalen Johnson gave the Hawks the lead with two minutes to play. Free throws from Young would secure the victory.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder began his post game press conference by thanking the fans for their energy throughout the game. “Games like that are when we really needed the crowd and they were there for us,” Snyder said.
The Atlanta Hawks haven’t been on the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule since 1989. That’s before Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, DeAndre Hunter, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccharie Risacher were born. The last time the Hawks played on Christmas Day, Basketball Hall of Famers Moses Malone and Dominique Wilkins led the team 27 and 34 points, respectively. Current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers added 14 points, seven assists, and six steals for the Hawks in the 115-108 victory at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The day after Christmas has been more like the speed for the Hawks the past couple of decades. Since the franchise moved to Atlanta for 1968-69 season, the Hawks are 23-27 in 50 games played the day after Christmas.
Asked if he knows what it will take to get the league to schedule a Christmas Day game in Atlanta one day Young said he would like to see that happen.
The first quarter felt like Christmas morning for Bulls reserve guard Jevon Carter, who made all six of his three-point attempts to give Chicago a huge boost after the Hawks went ahead 9-2. The Bulls ended the quarter with a 33-12 lead. Carter closed the period with 19 of Chicago’s points. Carter didn’t score during the second quarter, yet Chicago still managed to be up 64-53 at halftime. Six straight points from Zach Lavine late in the period kept Chicago’s lead safe. Atlanta cut the Bulls lead to less than 10 points behind baskets from Larry Nance, Jr. and DeAndre Hunter, before Levine’s mini offensive run.
The Hawks went on their own mini-run late in the third quarter courtesy of a four-point play from rookie Zaccharie Risacher (10.6 points and three rebounds per game) and a three-pointer from reserve guard Vit Krejci, who came into the game averaging just under three points per game. A three-point barrage from Levine gave Chicago a double-digit lead again with three minutes to play in the third quarter. The Bulls were ahead 100-87 when Lavine connected on another three-pointer from the top of the key, bringing the packed arena to its feet. Chicago led 108-91 after three quarters of play.
The Hawks will host the Miami Heat on Saturday, Dec. 28. Tipoff is at 3 p.m.
