Hawks Improve to 2-0 with a 125-120 Wire-to-Wire Win Over Hornets

The Atlanta Hawks opened their 2024-25 NBA season with back-to-back wins, including a dominant 125-120 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. This marks their first wire-to-wire win of the season, as the Hawks never trailed throughout the contest. Atlanta’s balanced play, both offensively and defensively, has been a key factor in their strong start.

Head Coach Quin Snyder remained grounded despite the team’s strong start to the season. Reflecting on the victory during the post-game press conference, Snyder said, “It was nothing spectacular, just our group coming together.”

He emphasized the collective effort from his squad, focusing on how teamwork and execution were key to their wire-to-wire win. Snyder praised the Hawks’ balanced performance on both ends of the floor but noted that it was the group’s cohesion and chemistry that ultimately secured the result.

This team-first mindset seems to be the driving force behind Atlanta’s early success, as they improve to 2-0 on the season.

Offensive Flow and Playmaking

For the second consecutive game, the Hawks dished out 25 assists, showing great ball movement. This builds on last season’s impressive record of 52 games with 25+ assists. Additionally, the Hawks have now recorded 20+ assists in 51 straight home games, a franchise milestone, placing them third all-time in that category.

The team’s accuracy at the free-throw line was another crucial factor in their victory. Atlanta converted 33 of 38 free throws, an 86.8% success rate. Last season, they ranked eighth in the league with a .797 free throw percentage, and this efficiency at the line seems to be carrying over into the new campaign.

Defensive Prowess

The Hawks also displayed defensive grit, notching 11 steals and nine blocks for the second game in a row. This impressive stat hasn’t been achieved by Atlanta since 1986. These defensive stops were pivotal in holding off Charlotte’s late-game comeback attempts, and the Hawks’ ability to protect the rim and disrupt passing lanes continues to pay dividends.

Trae Young’s Historic Night

Trae Young led the charge with a stellar performance, scoring 38 points while adding 10 assists, eight rebounds, and four steals. His efficient free-throw shooting (11-13) and overall playmaking lifted Atlanta when it mattered most. Young’s stat line makes him the first player in Hawks history to achieve these minimums in a game.

With 207 career double-doubles, Young has tied Josh Smith for seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list. Additionally, Young became just the second player in NBA history to start a season with back-to-back 30-point, 10-assist games, joining the legendary Oscar Robertson. His 79th career game with at least 30 points and 10 assists also pushes him past Luka Dončić for the fifth-most such games in NBA history.

Young’s consistency continues to be unmatched, as he has now recorded 10+ points and 5+ assists in 65 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NBA. He is just one game away from tying Oscar Robertson for the fifth-longest such streak in league history.

Contributions from Hunter and Daniels

De’Andre Hunter had a strong outing, recording 24 points and seven rebounds, his first 20+ point, 5+ rebound game of the season. His efficiency from the floor (7-14) and perfect free-throw shooting (8-8) gave the Hawks a solid second option behind Young.

Dyson Daniels also had a career night, scoring 18 points on 8-10 shooting while contributing four assists, two blocks, and two steals. He continues to develop into a key contributor, hitting his 600th career point during the game.

Hornets Struggle Despite LaMelo Ball’s Hot Hand

Charlotte fought hard behind LaMelo Ball, who posted a career-high nine three-pointers and finished with 34 points. His shooting kept the Hornets within reach, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Atlanta’s consistent offensive execution. Ball added five rebounds and four assists, but Charlotte’s defense struggled to slow down the Hawks’ offensive juggernaut.

Nick Richards also contributed a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, continuing to be a strong presence in the paint for Charlotte.

Looking Ahead

The Hawks offense is clicking, and the defense has proven to be solid across multiple games. Both teams will need to make adjustments as the season progresses, but Atlanta’s early dominance sets a promising tone for what lies ahead.

Next Up: On Sunday night, the Hawks travel to the Paycom Center for a road matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Hawks, fresh off a strong 2-0 start, will look to continue their momentum against a Thunder team playing on the second night of a back-to-back. With Oklahoma City facing a quick turnaround, Atlanta will aim to exploit any fatigue and build on their early-season success. Atlanta’s balanced offense, led by Trae Young, and their improved defensive intensity will be key factors as they seek to remain undefeated. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET.

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