Big win on two fronts.
The Atlanta Hawks won back-to-back games for the second time this season as they defeated the Washington Wizards on Friday night, 129-117. The Hawks are now 6-7 overall and in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with the win. They are also 2-0 and in first place in the NBA Cup Group C standings.
Head coach Quin Snyder was very pleased with the team defense.
“We didn’t start the game great. I think they were very confident against us. They got some good players that make plays, and they were coming at us. And I thought we really responded well to that, and you know throughout the majority of the game, we really played well, and we really played defense like that was the biggest thing,” said Snyder.
Dyson Daniels had another good game defensively as he had six steals and two blocks to go along with 25 points.
“Well, anytime you have someone (Daniels) that takes the amount of pride that he does in defending, not just the individual matchup, but things he does off the ball. He does it in a very workmanlike, quiet way, but he demonstrates his commitment and when you’re out there on the floor with him. It can’t help but raise your level,” said Snyder.
“I see First Team (All-)Defense as many years as he wants to, as you can see what he able to do now that he has the opportunity to play a lot,” said Trae Young
Young returned back from injury with 18 points and nine assists. De’Andre Hunter also returned back from injury as he scored 22 points from the bench.
The Hawks again dominated the paint as they outscored the Wizards in the paint 62-44. The Hawks also scored 25 fastbreak points. The Hawks’ largest lead was 28 points on the evening.
Jalen Johnson also had another double-double as he scored 18 points along with 13 rebounds. Onyeka Okongwu also had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Hawks will begin a three-game stretch of games against Western Conference teams starting with Portland on Sunday.