Category: Atlanta Hawks Blog

Atlanta Hawks blog

Hawks preparing for Game 7 on road vs. Sixers

Winning an NBA playoffs Game 7 on the road, and as an underdog, is a tough task, but that’s the Atlanta Hawks’ intended agenda Sunday night. Via the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

It comes down to one game, with the teams on even footing, aside from the No. 1-seed 76ers having home-court advantage over the No. 5-seed Hawks.

“To be honest, I don’t think any of it matters,” Hawks guard Trae Young said about the previous games in the Eastern Conference semifinal series, after the Hawks’ 104-99 loss Friday at State Farm Arena. “It’s one game. They came in and took care of business to try to force a Game 7, and all the other games don’t mean anything. This is one game. Both teams are in a win-or-go-home situation.” …

Several key players on the team, including Young, [Kevin] Huerter, John Collins, and Bogdan Bogdanovic (who exited Game 6 with right knee soreness) hadn’t been in the NBA playoffs, so this obviously will be their first time in a high-intensity elimination game on the road. On Saturday, McMillan said Bogdanovic’s knee was sore and he was receiving treatment, but it was too soon to know his status for Game 7.

Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter out for remainder of playoffs

Prior to Game 1 against Philadelphia, Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter began experiencing some mild swelling in his right knee. Head Team Physician Dr. Kenneth Mautner and Head Orthopaedist Dr. Kyle Hammond examined Hunter and suggested an MRI. The initial review revealed a new small tear of the lateral meniscus. Films from the MRI were sent to Dr. Neal ElAttrache of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles for a second opinion, who earlier today confirmed the tear and recommended surgery.

Hunter is scheduled to travel to Los Angeles this weekend and undergo surgery to the lateral meniscus on Tuesday with Dr. ElAttrache.

He will miss the remainder of the postseason.

Hawks forward/center John Collins wins inaugural Sekou Smith Award

The Atlanta Hawks tonight announced forward/center John Collins as the recipient of the inaugural Sekou Smith Award, which annually honors the player on the team’s roster who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media.

Several members of Smith’s family were in attendance at tonight’s game to take part in a pregame presentation. Collins was selected via a vote from a select local media panel.

In addition to the award, the Hawks will name the media workroom at State Farm Arena after Smith, redesigning the space to honor his memory. The Sekou Smith Press Room will formally open to media for the 2021-22 NBA season.

The team will also launch an annual Hawks-NBA Summer League internship in Smith’s name. Each summer, a journalism or multi-media student from a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) school will be selected to serve as the Hawks’ beat writer for NBA Summer League, and their work will appear on the team’s digital team properties, providing valuable experience and clips. In addition to covering associated travel costs, the Hawks will provide a stipend to the intern. The SWAC is comprised of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) including Jackson State University, Smith’s alma mater.

Smith served as the AJC’s Hawks beat writer from 2005-09 before joining NBA Digital as a multimedia reporter and analyst. He also spent time at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS and the Indianapolis Star, where he covered the Indiana Pacers as the team’s beat writer.

Hawks coach Nate McMillan fined by NBA

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan has been fined $25,000 for detrimental public comments asserting bias by the NBA relating to the 2020-21 Playoffs, it was announced today by Byron Spruell, President, League Operations.

McMillan made his remarks to the media on May 19.

Per ESPN.com, “on Wednesday in a Zoom call with the media, McMillan, whose Hawks play the Knicks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, said the NBA wants New York in the playoffs. He said on the call that that’s the message he has delivered to his team. “Absolutely, I’ve talked about that to the team a lot. Basically, I’ve gone as far as saying the league wants this,” he said. “They need this, New York, this is a big market for the league, and New York has been out of the playoffs for a number of years.” “And this is a team that our league, they want to see — there’s a huge fan base — and they want to see New York in the playoffs.”

Atlanta Hawks will allow an increase in fan attendance in NBA playoffs

The Atlanta Hawks haven’t officially clinched an NBA playoff spot yet, but they’re in good shape to do so, and have plans to allow additional fan attendance in the postseason.

Today the Hawks announced plans to increase attendance for postseason play to 7,625 fans, approximately 45 percent of State Farm Arena’s full capacity. The plan received approval by both the NBA and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Hawks opened the 2020-21 season with no fans in attendance before increasing capacity to 1300 fans on Jan. 26 and later increasing to 3000 fans for the second half of the season on March 13.

At 35-30 (.538), the Hawks are currently in 5th place in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining (six at State Farm Arena) in the regular season. Fans can guarantee priority access to the 2021 Playoffs by visiting Hawks.com/membership or texting or calling (866) 715-1500 for more information.

“We are excited to safely welcome more fans back to State Farm Arena for our postseason run. A significant percentage of our members, staff and fans have been vaccinated and are eager to support our team together as we appear in the postseason for the first time in four years,” said Hawks Chief Executive Officer Steve Koonin. “We would like to thank for our friends at Emory Healthcare, Sharecare and the Georgia Department of Public Health who advised us on the safest ways to increase capacity.”

The Hawks will offer a 500-person vaccinated fan section, in which fans with proof of vaccination can be seated without social distancing. Additional lower bowl seating will be added to the East side of the building as plexiglass will be added behind player benches and other areas throughout the building for additional safety. Masks will continue to be required for all fans inside the arena.

Hawks guard Trae Young out with sprained ankle

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, who left last night’s game at New York due to a sprained left ankle, had an X-ray taken at Madison Square Garden, which came back negative.

Following an MRI today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex, he was diagnosed with a lateral left ankle sprain.

Young will be listed as out for tomorrow’s game vs. Miami and Sunday vs. Milwaukee.

Hawks guard Tony Snell out with ankle injury

Atlanta Hawks guard Tony Snell left during the third quarter of last night’s game against Chicago with a right ankle injury and did not return. An MRI taken this morning at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex confirmed a right ankle sprain and bone bruise. He will stay in Atlanta for rehabilitation, missing the Hawks’ two-game road trip to Charlotte and Tampa, and will be re-evaluated upon the team’s return.

Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter undergoes non-surgical procedure on knee

Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter, who has been dealing with right knee soreness, underwent a non-surgical procedure earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex.

Following three days of unloading, he will return to activity later this week.

Per AJC.com, “Hunter missed 23 straight games after injuring his knee against the Wizards on Jan. 29. Ten days after that game, he had a lateral meniscus debridement procedure.”

Hawks trade Rajon Rondo to Clippers for Lou Williams and draft picks

The Atlanta Hawks have acquired guard Lou Williams, along with two second-round picks (Portland 2023, LAC 2027) and cash considerations in a trade with the LA Clippers for guard Rajon Rondo.

“Lou is arguably the greatest sixth man to ever play the game, and he represented much more than that as a Clipper,” said Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank. “He is a leader and a connector, earning the highest level of respect from teammates and opponents alike. He lifted all of us. We will miss Lou and his family dearly.”

Williams, a native of Snellville, GA, previously played for the Hawks from 2012-14.

“Being able to acquire a respected veteran in Lou Williams, one of the best scorers and playmakers off the bench in league history, and two second-round picks accomplished a couple of the goals we had,” said Hawks President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Travis Schlenk. “We are excited to see what Lou can add to our second unit as we try to finish this season strong.”

Williams has appeared in 42 games (three starts) this season for the Clippers, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 21.9 minutes (.421 FG%, .378 3FG%, .866 FT%). In 1,043 career games (121 starts) with Philadelphia, Atlanta, Toronto, the LA Lakers, Houston and the LA Clippers, the 15-year veteran has career averages of 14.4 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 24.7 minutes (.420 FG%, .350 3FG%, .841 FT%).

Last season, he put in 18.2 points, 5.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 65 games, ranking fourth in the NBA in bench scoring (17.4 ppg), leading the league in most games with at least 20 points and five assists off the bench (18).

Originally selected in the second round (45th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the 76ers, Williams is a three-time winner of the NBA’s Sixth Man Award (2015, 2018, 2019). Among all active players, he ranks 13th in points (15,000), seventh in games played (1,043), 17th in three-pointers made (1,396) and assists (3,603), ninth in free throws made (3,928) and 21st in free-throw percentage (.840). Williams is the only player since 1970-71 (when starters were first tracked) to have at least 15,000 career points with less than 400 games as a starter.

Rondo is a two-time NBA champion, four-time All-Star, and two-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member. He has played with Boston, Dallas, Sacramento, Chicago, New Orleans, the Lakers, and Atlanta. In 900 regular-season games (731 starts), he’s averaged 10.0 points, 8.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 30.6 minutes. He has also led the league in assists three times and steals once. Among active players, Rondo ranks fourth in assists (7,310 at 15th overall in NBA history) and sixth in steals (1,470).

“We could not be more excited to welcome Rajon to the Clippers,” said Frank. “He is a proven winner, a relentless competitor, and one of the most skilled orchestrators of his era. We believe he will elevate our group and continue to propel us forward.”

Hawks forward Cam Reddish remains out with Achilles soreness

Atlanta Hawks forward Cam Reddish, who has missed the last six games due to right Achilles soreness, underwent a non-surgical procedure earlier today at the Emory Sports Medicine Complex.

He will be placed in a walking boot, and the team will review his status in about one week.

Per AJC.com, “the Hawks return from the all-star break with a road game against the Raptors on Thursday. They return home for two games against the Kings and Cavaliers Saturday and Sunday.”