“Opening Night” successful for the Hawks, who had to fight to overcome the Nets but who snatched their first victory of the season, for the great first in the NBA of Zaccharie Risacher. The duo Trae Young – Onyeka Okongwu finally had the last word against a Cam Thomas who never released the pressure.
The Hawks showed intensity from the start and were rewarded with a 13-4 initiated and concluded by De'Andre Hunter. Nothing to scare the Nets, who gradually fell behind (15-15) and then resisted the entry of the Bogdanovic-Risacher-Okongwu trio (30-24).
Better, the teammates of an inspired Dennis Schroder managed to take the lead by going 10-0 marked by 3-pointers from Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson (35-41). Trae Young tried to restart the machine with a 3-pointer, two assists, but Brooklyn held on, responding with Dorian Finney-Smith from afar then Cam Thomas to stay the course at the break (51-55).
Cam Thomas tries to resist until the end
It was then up to the Hawks to hang on to come back and get back in front. Trae Young was this time able to count on relays from Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu and Bogdan Bogdanovic at the end of the third quarter. But again, Brooklyn responded each time, relying on an already sharp Cam Thomas, or the Schroder-Wilson-Williams trio (83-83).
Already author of a 0/2 marked with an “airball”, Nic Claxton then distinguished himself with a Flagrant II on Dyson Daniels, leaving his teammates eight minutes from time. Two events which allowed Atlanta to regain confidence and make a gap. Trae Young in the paint and De'Andre Hunter on 3-pointers then brought the score to 102-92.
Onyeka Onkongwu's huge dunk confirmed the trend, and despite the repeated exploits of Cam Thomas until the end to delay the deadline, Atlanta was able to finish without trembling. X factor of the Hawks, Onyeka Okongwu was valuable until the end with four points and a block on Cam Thomas in the final to relegate the Nets to six lengths (112-106). He finally sealed the fate of the match with a final dunk to ensure the success of the Hawks, 120 to 116.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The beginnings of Zacharie Risacher. The number 1 of the Draft had to wait until the end of the first quarter to come into play but did not take long to get noticed. From his first ball, on a serve from Trae Young on the counter-attack, the French winger ignited the room by hitting a 3-pointer. The rest was complicated (2/8 shooting) but Zaccharie Risacher knew how to remain aggressive and was rewarded with an important dunk at the start of the fourth quarter. 19 short minutes but an encouraging first.
– The comeback courtesy of Onyeka Okongwu. Left suffering from a left big toe at the end of last season, Onyeka Oknongwu returned to full fitness for the first match of the season. Launched with a perfect 7/7 for 14 points at the break, the interior did it again in the second half, punishing the slightest opponent gap to finish at 28 points, his new career record, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks. It was necessary at least that to resist a hot Cam Thomas until the end.
– Dyson Daniels not spared. The Australian full-back was the victim of a violent header to the throat from Nick Claxton on the counter-attack as he headed towards the circle. Dyson Daniels quickly got up to say what he thought to the Nets pivot. The referees finally decided by inflicting a Flagrant II on him, sending him to the locker room eight minutes from the end. A fact of play which coincided with the moment when the Hawks took control, to finally win.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
