BREAKING NEWS: Raptors defeat Hawks following NBA All-Star break

In their first game following the NBA All-Star break, the Atlanta Hawks took on the Toronto Raptors on February 24. Atlanta aimed to increase their win % in the second half of the season going into the game with a 24-31 record.

Four minutes into the game, the Hawks were only shooting 8% from the field. Center Jakob Poeltl put on a fantastic effort as the Raptors went on a 15-0 run. Atlanta was behind 15–2. Dejounte Murray, a guard, put an end to Atlanta’s scoring drought with a layup.

With 2:24 remaining in the quarter, guard Trae Young was called for a technical foul for challenging a questionable foul call, but Murray led a heroic offensive surge that brought life back to Atlanta’s offense. At the end of the first quarter, Atlanta’s defensive problems from the first half of the season persisted, as they were behind 33–22.

When center Onyeka Okongwu hurt his toe on February 12 against the Chicago Bulls, the Hawks frontcourt needed some reinforcement from the bench. With the help of center Bruno Fernando, the squad was able to trim the Raptors’ lead to five points.

Forward Saddiq Bey’s three-pointer put the Hawks ahead 49–48. Poeltl hit Young with a strong screen, causing him to fall to the ground. Head Coach Quin Snyder was furious that Poeltl had not been called for an offensive foul. He challenged the ruling to the referees, which resulted in a double technical foul and his removal from the match.

Snyder stated, “I saw Trae take a shot to his quad, and to be honest, I was worried about his knee.” He was on the ground, and I feared for his safety. So, even if that was the justification, I probably deserved a technical.”

With 4:30 left in the half, the Raptors led 53-49 thanks to the successful free throw, a jump jumper by All-Star guard Scottie Barnes, and a foul by forward De’Andre Hunter. Hunter contested a defensive foul call shortly after, and the umpires ultimately assessed him a technical penalty. The Raptors increased their advantage to 54-51 after making the free throw. With 3:32 left in the half, Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. made a three-pointer to give his team a 57-51 lead. The Hawks trailed 65-64 at the half, having trimmed the lead to one. Poeltl, who closed the half with 10 points and five boards, was tough for them to handle.

Both teams traded baskets in the third quarter, and with eight minutes left, the Hawks led 75–71. Raptors player Immanuel Quickley, though, carried over his impressive first half and made two three-pointers to give the team a 77-76 advantage. With a mid-range jump shot, Murray gave the Hawks the lead once more. With 1:04 left in the third quarter, Raptors rookie big Gradey Dick lit up the court off the bench, giving the team a 91-88 advantage. The Raptors had a 96-90 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Atlanta trailed 107-100 with 8:14 remaining in the game and by two with two minutes remaining as they were unable to gather momentum for the fourth quarter. With 18.3 seconds remaining, the Hawks were behind by three points and held the ball. The baseline called Murray out of bounds while he was dribbling. Igor Kokoškov, the assistant coach for the Hawks, declined to question the play despite the near miss. In the end, Barnes made a layup during the subsequent possession. Young made a three-pointer, but the Hawks were defeated 123–121 in the end.

Snyder emphasized the need for Fernando to keep playing at that level while applauding Fernando’s defensive efforts despite the team’s late defeat. Fernando had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal in the game’s conclusion.

“He performed admirably,” Snyder remarked. “We need him to continue playing hard, competing, and performing at that level.”

In comparison to his first tenure in Atlanta, Fernando is proud with his growth as a player.

“It is pleasant,” Fernando remarked. “It’s evidence of the effort I’ve made over the years.”