By Samir Ajy
The Atlanta Hawks secured a much-needed 145-124 victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee
Sunday night. The win snapped a two-game skid for Atlanta and improved their record to
36-38. Atlanta also moved back into the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, surpassing
the Orlando Magic.
The first half was a shootout between the two teams, with the Hawks leading 82-75 at halftime.
However, Atlanta would break the game open in the third quarter, outscoring the Bucks 36-17
and leading by as much as 25 early on in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee’s attempt at a comeback
was too little, too late.
The game was chippy on both ends, with a total of four technical fouls called between the two
teams (three against Atlanta and one against Milwaukee). Most notably, Terrence Mann
accounted for two of Atlanta’s three technicals and was ejected late in the fourth quarter after
receiving his second one of the night. Trae Young received his 14th of the season after arguing
a missed foul call at the end of the first half.
Most notably, Zaccharie Risacher bolstered his case for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year honors,
with a 36-point night, a new career high. Risacher’s third 30-point output of the season is the
most for any rookie this season.
“That’s the rookie of the year. I’m standing right next to him.” Said Trae Young after the game,
endorsing his teammate’s case for the award. If Risacher wins the award, he would be the first
Hawk to do so since the team’s relocation to Atlanta in 1968 (Bob Pettit received the award in
1955, when the team was based in Milwaukee).
Atlanta also set two franchise records during the victory. Dyson Daniels set a franchise record
for most steals in a single season with 213, and the team set a franchise record for most assists
in a single season with 2181.
The Hawks will look to build off of their big road victory when the Portland Trail Blazers come to
State Farm Arena on Tuesday, April 1.
