Hawks muscle up on Mavericks in season opener
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at State Farm Arena on October 21, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP
Guard Trae Young, who had 28 double-doubles last year, picked up where he left off by recording 19 points and 14 assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 113-87 win over the visiting Dallas Mavericks in the NBA on Thursday.
The outcome ruined the debut of Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, who replaced Rick Carlisle this summer.
The win ended Atlanta’s two-game losing streak to the Mavericks. The Hawks are now 24-6 at home since Feb. 21.
Young was 6-for-16 from the floor, two of them 3-pointers, in 33 minutes and scored a near statistical draw with Dallas rival Luka Doncic, who had 18 points on 6-for-17 shooting, with 11 rebounds and seven assists. Doncic, guarded most of the night by Atlanta’s De’Andre Hunter, was only 2-for-7 on 3-pointers.
Another chapter.@TheTraeYoung 🤝 @luka7doncic #KiaTipOff21 #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/tLsFc1WtQy
— NBA (@NBA) October 22, 2021
Cam Reddish came off the bench to lead the Hawks with 20 points on 7-for-15 shooting and three 3-pointers. All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures. John Collins tallied 16 points and nine rebounds; Clint Capela had 12 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks; Bogdan Bogdanovic and Hunter each scored 11. The Hawks shot 47.9 percent from the floor.
The Mavericks shot just 33.3 percent. Jalen Brunson came off the bench to score 17 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 points and Kristaps Porzingis scored 11.
Dallas jumped out to a 10-2 lead to start the game, but Atlanta found its shooting and built a 51-44 lead at halftime. The Hawks put the game away in the third quarter by outscoring the Mavs 35-20. The Hawks took a 21-point lead with 4:51 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Hunter.
The Hawks played without Danilo Gallinari (left shoulder soreness) and Lou Williams (left hip soreness).
Both teams return to action on Saturday. Dallas plays at the Toronto Raptors, while Atlanta visits the Cleveland Cavaliers.
