The Atlanta Hawks faced the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night with a healthier rankings than the team had in weeks. With the newfound roster stability and some individual performances at the elite level, Lloyd Pierce’s team sailed to a 116-98 result for their third consecutive victory.
Much of the opening period was uneven on both sides, and the wolves hung around as a result. The Falcons did get the last word in the first quarter, but scored the last seven points to take a 25-19 lead.
The story of the first quarter was the game of Clint Capela, who on Wednesday built on his dominant effort with six points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the first minutes.
Atlanta’s run continued as the second quarter opened, with a total ballooning of 28-9 combined with the first quarter. When the onslaught slowed, the Falcons maintained an 18-point lead and the bench was an important part of the attack.
Atlanta led by as many as 23 before settling with a 19-point halftime advantage. Capela tied his career highlight with six blocks before halftime, adding eight points and 15 rebounds. On the attacking side, Trae Young was the catalyst and scored 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, 3-out-6 from three-point range and 6-out-6 from the free-throw line.
The Wolves did show some struggle early in the second half, reducing the margin to 13. From there, however, the Falcons regained full control, and it was Young at the forefront.
The All-Star guard scored 15 points in the third quarter by pushing the 30-point mark and standing at 40 (!) Points in just 27 minutes.
Through three quarters, the Hawks maintained a 92-67 lead, and frankly, the Wolves never threatened. There was ‘a little drama, as Capela pursued his first career triple-double.
The veteran center burst into blocks far beyond his career high, eventually getting ten rejections, while the rest of the team encouraged him.
In the end, the last minutes passed without incident and the Falcons won a decisive victory. Young and Capela were the dominant players tonight, with Young scoring 43 points – including 8-of-12 from three points – and Capela scoring 13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks. Elsewhere, Reddish (15 points, five rebounds) and Gallinari (10 points, four rebounds) performed well in their return, and Atlanta did business against an inferior opponent on the road.
The Hawks will now travel from Minneapolis to Milwaukee for a Sunday night game against the Bucks. The match will kick off at 20:00.
Stay tuned.