That’s our rook.
The Atlanta Hawks battled the Milwaukee Bucks in the season series finale between the two teams. Atlanta came in having won three of the last four meetings between them.
Ultimately, Atlanta was able to keep the winning ways going as they defeated Milwaukee 145-124.
The Hawks started Trae Young, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Gueye, and Zaccharie Risacher. The Hawks struggled defensively in the opening quarter as they allowed the Bucks to score 20 points in the paint. The Bucks shot 85% from the field, converting 17 field goals of 20 attempts. They also took advantage of Hawks turnovers by scoring eight points off those changes of possession.
For the Hawks, Young started the game hunting his offense as he had 11 points and five assists in the opening quarter. Young came into the game averaging 27 points and 10.9 assists per game while shooting 46% on field goals and 39% on his three pointers in his last 10 games.
The Bucks offense would eventually slow down as Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up his second foul with 41.2 seconds left in the first quarter. The Bucks led at the end of the first quarter 44-37.
The Hawks was able to dominate the second quarter behind the help of Georges Niang, who was 4-for-4 on his three-pointers, scoring 17 points total in the quarter. He has averaged 12.2 points per game during the month of March.
Risacher also added 13 points in the half, scoring all 13 in the second quarter.
The rookie is making a strong push for Rookie of the Year as he finished the game with 36 points. The 36 points are a career-high for Risacher. He just was sensational for the Hawks tonight as he was very efficient from the court, going 12-of-21. It’s his seventh 20-point game of the season and fifth in the month of March.
The Hawks went on a 21-10 run in the last seven minutes of the first half. Atlanta led 82-75 going into halftime as they outscored the Bucks 45-31in the quarter.
The Hawks kept the energy going as they lead by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. The Hawks were 14-for-25 on fields goals in the quarter and they also held the Bucks to 4-of-19 on their field goals.
Okongwu had another great game for the Hawks to close out his month. He finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds. It was his 24th double-double of the season and his ninth for the month of March. Okongwu had a great month of March as he averaged 15.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game during the month.
Terance Mann is averaging 15 points per game (including nine points in the fourth quarters) in his last two games. He continued his strong bench play as he added nine points and four assists before being disqualified with his second technical foul.
Young ended the game with an impressive 19 points and 19 assists. It was also Young’s 15th time this season with double-digit free throws in a game. Daniels added 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
It was a much-needed win for Atlanta as they came into the contest a loss behind the Orlando Magic in the standings. The win also ties last season’s total wins with 36.