Hawks win streak capped at six after 141-111 loss to Denver Nuggets

The Hawks faced the Denver Nuggets at home on Sunday evening with a chance to win seven straight. Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter were ruled available after being listed on the injury report, but Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanovic would not play. For the first time this season, the Hawks went out with the following starters: Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, Larry Nance Jr., and Clint Capela.

Nikola Jokic wasted no time before sinking a three-pointer within the first five seconds of the contest. Nance scored the first field goal of the game for the Hawks with a difficult fadeaway.

The Nuggets got up to an early 15-8 lead, much thanks to three field goals in transition. Vit Krejci would again get the nod over Kobe Bufkin, entering the game with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. As well as Krejci, Garrison Mathews saw his first action since November 30th against the Charlotte Hornets.

The first quarter was all Nuggets nonetheless and the Hawks entered the second quarter trailing 38-23. Jokic had already amassed 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. The Hawks’ offensive woes carried into the second, missing their first 11 three-point attempts. Hunter hit the first triple with around seven minutes remaining in the half.

Denver maintained control and Jokic continued his excellence. The Hawks cut their deficit as low as 13 when Trae found Capela in transition here.

The score at half was 71-48 after Jokic hit an incredible near half court three to end the half.

Jokic surpassed the 30 point mark early in the second half and was at the steering wheel of the game the whole way. The Nuggets extended their lead to 30 points in the third quarter. De’Andre Hunter took an elbow to the head from Aaron Gordon and he then exited the game to be checked out.

Daniels cut the lead down to 18 almost single handedly. He had eight points, two assists, and two steals in the third quarter.

Hunter reentered the game after being evaluated for a concussion and immediately knocked down a three-pointer. However, the story continued into the fourth the Hawks never really stood a chance wire-to-wire. They brought it within 19 points late but never posed a real threat.

The Hawks waived the white flag and finished the game with Bufkin, Krejci, Roddy, Mathews, and Risacher on the floor.