NBA: The Hawks hang tough and come away winners over the Bucks

Atlanta, Georgia - The defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks just couldn’t seal the deal against the relentless Atlanta Hawks, who stuck around long enough to win at home on Monday.

Forward John Collins chipped in with 16 points for the Hawks.
Forward John Collins chipped in with 16 points for the Hawks.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

The Hawks outlasted the Hawks 121-114, snapping their five-game skid while handing Milwaukee their second loss in a row and sixth defeat in the last eight games.

The Bucks came out of the gate strong with a great first-quarter performance, leading the Hawks by nine heading into the second.

Atlanta still couldn’t get on the right track and struggled into the half trailing Milwaukee by 12.

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However, the Hawks just wouldn’t go away and closed the gap in the third quarter to an 88-83 deficit as the action headed into the fourth.

The Bucks managed to finally pull away during the first few minutes into the quarter and looked like they were indeed going to get a deserved road victory.

But Atlanta had other ideas as it blew up for 35 points with over eight minutes to go to steal the lead and the much-needed win.

The player spotlight

Hawks point guard Trae Young led all scorers with 30 points on Monday night.
Hawks point guard Trae Young led all scorers with 30 points on Monday night.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

The Hawks’ fourth-year superstar point guard Trae Young (23) was in the zone as he kept his team in the game long enough to slip by the Bucks on the way to victory.

Young leads his team in scoring with 27.7 points per game, an average that currently puts him fourth in the league.

Among his many contributions to Monday night’s win, one in particular stood out: a big three-pointer in the game’s final minutes that kept the Hawks in the prime position to close out Milwaukee.

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NBA New York Liberty receives hero's welcome with ticker-tape parade for WNBA title!

Young finished the night with 7-for-17 shooting, a perfect 14-for-14 from the free-throw line, a game-high 30 points, and 11 assists.

The big picture

Trae Young is fourth in the NBA in average scoring with 27.7 points per game.
Trae Young is fourth in the NBA in average scoring with 27.7 points per game.  © IMAGO/Agencia EFE

The Hawks watched the Bucks get past them on their way to last year’s NBA title, but they've now gotten the better of Milwaukee in both matchups so far this season.

Atlanta isn’t among the better teams in the league. Having more losses than wins, anytime the Hawks can taste victory is a good day, especially if you can get it against the team that kept you one round away from the Finals last season.

Young is still putting in the work and showing his offensive prowess to keep his team in every game, so if they can catch a lucky break or two going forward, the Hawks could very well find themselves with another shot at the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Hawks will stay at home to host the Timberwolves while the Bucks will be back at home to take on the Grizzlies.

Cover photo: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

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