Hawks Wrap Up Preseason with Final Performance Against Rockets Suffering 133-115 Defeat
The Atlanta Hawks concluded their preseason with a defeat against the Houston Rockets, losing 133-115. This game served as the final preparation before the Hawks embark on their regular season next week, taking on the Toronto Raptors.
Game Overview
The matchup took place at home for the Hawks, who had recently delivered an impressive win over the Miami Heat. In that previous game, none of the regular rotation players participated, but the core team returned for the finale against the Rockets. Notably, Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels did not play, although Coach Quin Snyder confirmed their health status as fine.
First Half Highlights
The game began slowly, with the Rockets initially establishing a slight advantage. Nickeil Alexander-Walker put the Hawks on the scoreboard with a 3-pointer. This was soon followed by another from Trae Young. Despite a few turnovers, the Hawks gradually found their rhythm.
- Zaccharie Risacher showcased his skills with effective drives in the paint.
- Asa Newell made an impact early on, completing an alley-oop assisted by Alexander-Walker.
- At the end of the first quarter, the Hawks trailed 31-27.
As the second quarter unfolded, Risacher continued to excel, contributing a 3-pointer and a fadeaway jumper. Kristaps Porzingis also joined the scoring, and Young was instrumental with a highlight nutmeg assist, leading to a basket for Risacher. The first half concluded with the Hawks narrowly leading, 61-60.
Second Half Struggles
The Rockets intensified their play after halftime. Although the Hawks initially tried to keep pace, they fell behind most of the third quarter. Young’s defense converted into offense as he intercepted a pass and assisted Alexander-Walker for an easy layup. However, the Hawks entered the fourth quarter trailing 95-87.
Final Quarter Performance
As the fourth quarter began, Risacher maintained his strong performance and assisted Newell for a basket. Despite the Hawks’ efforts, the Rockets extended their lead, proving difficult for the Hawks to overcome. In the end, the Hawks could not stage a comeback and finished with a 133-115 loss.
Player Highlights
The game featured notable performances:
- Zaccharie Risacher: 24 points, 7 rebounds
- Kristaps Porzingis: 23 points, 13 rebounds
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 17 points
- Trae Young: 12 points, 10 assists
Looking ahead, the Hawks are set to return to the court next Wednesday for their season opener against the Toronto Raptors, aiming to bounce back from this preseason defeat.
