More than four years after the franchise last participated in a playoff game on Apr. 28, 2017, the Atlanta Hawks are officially returning to the postseason. While that was largely academic prior to Wednesday’s game against the Washington Wizards, the Hawks needed just one more positive result to clinch a top-six seed and, by proxy, a berth in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the duration of the night, but the Hawks overcame a double-digit deficit and escaped with a 120-116 victory to ensure a trip to the playoffs.
The first quarter was quite positive for the Hawks, beginning with a 9-3 run that was kicked off by a gorgeous pass from Kevin Huerter to Bogdan Bogdanovic for a three-pointer.
The best start the Hawks could ask for.@SoutheastToyota | #TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/mGSKRMJHSA
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) May 12, 2021
The Wizards did put together an 8-0 run to take the lead, but the Hawks threw a counterpunch. First, it was Trae Young finding Clint Capela for a lob dunk to take the lead.
CC got 🆙 pic.twitter.com/iwhMzsTO1b
— x – Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) May 12, 2021
Then, Young kept it going with individual brilliance, scoring and finding his teammates to engineer quality offense. The headliner was a behind-the-back find to Tony Snell for a three-pointer that deservedly made the national rounds.
Trae sets em up and knocks it down. pic.twitter.com/AEZ5p2InvO
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) May 12, 2021
Atlanta led by a five-point margin at the end of the first quarter, shooting 58 percent from the floor and committing only two turnovers. Young scored 11 points to key the attack and, while the defense was not tremendous, there was enough resistance to sustain the edge.
The second quarter was less favorable, however, with the Wizards cutting into the lead and eventually taking the halftime advantage. Atlanta’s second unit wobbled a bit before eventually exiting with a six-point lead, but it was the starters that allowed a 9-2 run by Washington to close the half at 59-56 in favor of the visitors.
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