2024 Summer League: Hawks fall to Lakers 87-86 in final moments

The Summer Hawks move to 0-3.

The Atlanta Hawks continued their Summer League journey on Wednesday evening with a matchup vs. the Los Angeles Lakers. Atlanta’s summer roster would be down another man for the contest, with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher missing the game with what the Hawks describe as a right quad contusion. The Lakers were without their first-round selection as well, as No. 17 pick Dalton Knect did not suit up.

Los Angeles started the game on a 12-2 run, with Bronny James scoring four of those points. The Hawks would bounce back however and trailed just 21-20 heading into the second quarter. Mouhamed Gueye had five points and continues to be a spark for this Summer group.

The Hawks trailed the Lakers 44-41 heading into the half, with James adding five more points to lead all scorers with nine points heading into the break. Jarkel Joiner games Atlanta a burst in the second on both ends of the floor.

The Hawks started the third quarter on a 25-10 run, attempting to take control of the game. The offense exploded following the break, with Atlanta scoring 31 points in the third. They pushed out to a 72-63 lead heading to the fourth quarter behind a fast-paced, balanced attack that continued to be fueled by the likes of Gueye and Joiner.

Perhaps the biggest story of the fourth quarter was that Gueye had to leave the game with what the team is calling a hip contusion. Gueye joins Kobe Bufkin, Nikola Đurišić and Risacher as young Hawks who have picked up injuries this Summer.

The Lakers would mount a run in the final period, as James hit a three-pointer to tie the game at 79 with 3:47 remaining. The game continued to be tight into the later moments, with Collin Castleton scoring inside and getting and and-one to put Los Angeles head with just over two minutes to play.

Miles Norris hit his third three-pointer of the game to pull the Hawks within one at 87-86 with under 35 seconds to go, and with the Atlanta getting a steal in the ensuing moments, they had a chance to win the game. The Lakers used their ‘foul to give’ with 10 seconds remaining, giving the Hawks ball side out. Atlanta inbounded the ball and proceeded to not get a shot off before the final buzzer, falling 87-86.

Castleton led the Lakers with 17 points (8-of-9 from the floor), 12 rebounds and six assists, with James adding 12 points in the team’s first win of the Summer League. Joiner and Robert Baker each had 17 points to lead the Hawks, while Gueye had 10 points in 16 minutes before exiting due to injury.

The Hawks will be back in action from Las Vegas Friday evening at 6 pm ET vs. the Chicago Bulls.