Atlanta Hawks

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their third straight loss without LeBron James as the Atlanta Hawks earned a 129-121 win Sunday.

Trae Young scored 36 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to lift the Hawks (24-25) to their seventh consecutive win, including their sixth at home at State Farm Arena. 

The Lakers built a 71-62 lead at halftime in the high-scoring game, controlling the action for a 10-point advantage through three quarters. The margin grew as high as 11 in the fourth before the Hawks stormed back with a 14-2 run to steal the lead.

Atlanta kept making shots in the fourth quarter, with Young hitting an important one from deep in the final minute:

FROM DEEP 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/BlWa4v590s

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

It was part of an 8-0 finish to the game for Atlanta, and Los Angeles simply couldn't keep up in the loss.

Anthony Davis scored 27 in his return to the lineup while Malik Monk set season highs with 33 points and 10 rebounds. The Lakers (24-27) still struggled overall as James remains out with a knee injury. The team is now 5-10 this season with LeBron unavailable.

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Notable Performances

Trae Young, PG, ATL: 36 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds

John Collins, PF, ATL: 20 points, 11 rebounds

Clint Capela, C, ATL: 15 points, 9 rebounds

Anthony Davis, PF, LAL: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Russell Westbrook, PG, LAL: 20 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds

Malik Monk, SG, LAL: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

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Trae Young Takeover Keys Hawks Win

Though Trae Young came in questionable due to a hip injury, he remained a star offensively.

The passing was especially impressive from start to finish as the guard found teammates all over the floor:

7 dimes for Trae after this long-distance dish 🎯@ATLHawks and Lakers on NBA League Pass ⤵https://t.co/L8Rrlv9ZoR pic.twitter.com/Ex6HC4BHu8

— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2022

Oh, that's nice.@TheTraeYoung | @KevinHuerter pic.twitter.com/hXwQ9ALnrm

— Hawks On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Hawks) January 30, 2022

He also called his own number when needed.

Step-back too cold pic.twitter.com/OuvfegTF0E

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

That's our All-Star ❄️ pic.twitter.com/FaJTHT9c7B

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

Some assists are just better than others.@LeaderofHorde | @TheTraeYoung pic.twitter.com/d94dzwRA0V

— Hawks On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Hawks) January 30, 2022

The clutch shooting in the fourth quarter especially helped the Hawks pull in front before closing out the win. 

It was a nice turnaround after it seemed like his frustrations were going to get the best of him early in the game. 

Trae was about to take the ball and leave 😂 pic.twitter.com/ldiOeXfshR

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 30, 2022

Foul or no foul? https://t.co/MauLEEeksF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 30, 2022

The Lakers took momentum late in the second quarter, ending the half with a 17-6 run.

Young bounced back with 20 points after halftime to keep the Hawks rolling. 

John Collins also showed his upside with his second-straight 20-point game, including 12 in the first quarter to give Atlanta an early lead.

JC gettin' things started pic.twitter.com/4Nf1a7RYoN

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

John Collins is getting whatever he wants in the paint to start this game.

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) January 30, 2022

Whether he's being used as a trade chip or staying with Atlanta, the team needs Collins to play to his ability.

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Malik Monk Heroics Not Enough for Lakers

Even with Anthony Davis back after missing Friday's game with a wrist injury, the Lakers remain shorthanded. LeBron James was diagnosed with "general swelling" in his knee that will keep him out until he improves, head coach Frank Vogel said Sunday.

It requires other players to step up, and Malik Monk showed he could be a key piece of the puzzle going forward with a big game Sunday.

The guard filled up the stat sheet with his best game as a Laker, producing some impressive plays along the way:

The move from Malik Monk or the dime? 🤔@Lakers and Hawks in Q1 on NBA League Pass ⤵https://t.co/L8Rrlv9ZoR pic.twitter.com/eYccWadtYe

— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2022

Malik Monk beats the halftime buzzer to complete a 19-PT first half 🔥@Lakers lead at the break on NBA League Pass: https://t.co/L8Rrlv9ZoR pic.twitter.com/OGKY3zEQ0c

— NBA (@NBA) January 30, 2022

30 for Malik Monk and the Lakers stay close 👀

Watch the end of that game on YouTube for FREE: https://t.co/GcDy5V18D7 pic.twitter.com/EmfR1KMvUJ

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) January 30, 2022

https://twitter.com/hmfaigen/status/1487882431982018563

Malik Monk being under-discussed while on the lakers having a career year is not something I expected. He’s been one of the most efficient guards since December

— Rich Stayman (@RichStayman) January 30, 2022

Consistency has been a problem for Monk, but this was his 12th time reaching 20 points this season. On an aging roster, the 23-year-old is exactly what the Lakers need.

It still wasn't enough for Los Angeles in this game. 

Davis was dominant when on the court with 27 points but still missed time due to foul trouble. Russell Westbrook was also more efficient than usual with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 12 assists.

Depth is still an issue with all five bench players finishing with a negative plus-minus rating. Carmelo Anthony scored 11 while Talen Horton-Tucker provided some life, but the team still needs more to keep up in these types of shootouts.   

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What's Next?

Atlanta continues its back-to-back with a home game against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Los Angeles will have a few days off before hosting the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

The Atlanta Hawks reportedly aren't an active suitor for Detroit Pistons forward Jerami Grant ahead of the 2022 NBA trade deadline on Feb. 10.

ESPN's Zach Lowe reported Thursday on The Lowe Post podcast (via HoopsHype) the Grant-to-Atlanta rumors are based on outdated information.

"They've been linked in recent reports to Jerami Grant. Personally, I think that's old intel based on what I've heard and that they are not in on Jerami Grant right now," Lowe said.

Grant is attracting plenty of attention ahead of the deadline with around 12 teams reaching out to the Pistons to discuss his availability, according to Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer.

"He's the grand prize of this deadline," an NBA source told B/R.

The 27-year-old Syracuse product is trying to have a say in his potential trade destination as he eyes an extension in the offseason. His current three-year, $60 million deal runs through next season.

"If he gets traded somewhere, he wants to get traded somewhere he's going to get paid. I was told his representation came to the Pistons and said, 'If you're going to trade him, here's a list of teams we would be interested in going to play for,'" ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Tuesday on The Hoop Collective podcast (via Marlowe Alter of the Detroit Free Press).

Grant doesn't have any type of no-movement clause in his contract, so he doesn't have full control over his immediate future, but a willingness to sign an extension could help Detroit command larger offers from any teams wanting to make him a long-term core piece.

The Oregon native enjoyed a breakout 2020-21 campaign with the Pistons and then captured a gold medal as part of Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

Grant has continued to make an across-the-board impact by averaging 20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 24 games this season. He's shooting just 41.4 percent from the field, though.

On paper, the 6'8" forward would slot in nicely in the Hawks' starting lineup at the 3 as Atlanta (22-25) attempts to make a push toward a playoff berth.

While it sounds like Grant may be on the move over the next couple weeks, it appears the Hawks are a long-shot landing spot at this stage of the process.

With the Philadelphia 76ers still seeking a fair trade for Ben Simmons, one option reportedly discussed was a deal with the Atlanta Hawks that would bring back John Collins and more.

"The 76ers and Hawks briefly kicked around a trade of Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris for John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari," Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported Wednesday.

The Hawks are reportedly uninterested in Harris, however, leading to stalled discussions.

Harris is averaging 18.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this season, and he still has two more seasons left on the five-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2019. The $76.9 million he is owed over the next two years is a significant investment for a player who has never earned an All-Star selection.

Adding Harris to a Simmons trade would likely limit the return, but it could clear the cap space necessary to add a top player in the offseason. Philadelphia president of basketball operations Daryl Morey is reportedly hoping to land James Harden, per Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic.

A trade could still happen before the Feb. 10 deadline, with Charania and Amick reporting the Hawks and Sacramento Kings were "among the most engaged" in talks for Simmons.

Collins would be an interesting centerpiece as another player who can produce alongside Joel Embiid and spread the floor with his 42.6 three-point percentage this season. The 24-year-old is averaging 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

Though Collins signed a five-year, $125 million extension before the start of this season, he could still be on the move with the Hawks struggling to a 21-25 record. 

Marc Berman of the New York Post reported Jan. 15 that Collins "could be made available in the future if the Hawks don’t start jelling," though Atlanta is now on a four-game winning streak.

Swapping Collins for Simmons would provide a significant upgrade for the Hawks defense. Simmons can defend multiple positions and was named first-team All-Defensive in each of the past two years.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, has gotten zero production from Simmons as he remains away from the team. Adding Collins, plus veteran scorers in Bogdanovic and Gallinari, could get the squad one step closer to title contention.    

The Atlanta Hawks will reportedly see what Kevin Knox II can do after they acquired the forward in a trade with the New York Knicks on Thursday.

Knox was sent to Atlanta along with a protected 2022 first-round pick (via Charlotte) for Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-round pick, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

According to Fred Katz and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, "The Hawks do not have plans to move Knox right now."

While the draft pick was the primary part of the package for Reddish, per Katz and Kirschner, Atlanta could see if Knox will improve with a change of scenery.

The 2018 No. 9 overall draft pick had a solid first season in the NBA, averaging 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, starting 57 of his 75 appearances.

His production fell steeply over the next three years, though, and he's averaging just 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 13 appearances this season. He was almost completely out of the rotation in New York, playing more than five minutes in just five games.

It was seemingly the right decision for head coach Tom Thibodeau as the Knicks were 24.4 points worse per 100 possessions with Knox on the floor compared to off it, per Basketball Reference. 

He is still only 22 years old, however, and has good athleticism to go with a quality shooting stroke, making 38.5 percent of three-point attempts over the last two seasons. The 6'7" wing could be a quality contributor off the bench if he remains efficient and improves his effort defensively.

The Hawks already have a deep rotation with John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Danilo Gallinari and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot getting the majority of minutes at the forward spots. De'Andre Hunter's imminent return from an ankle sprain also poses a problem. Still, Reddish's wake provides an opening for Knox to potentially prove himself with increased minutes.

With Knox set to become a restricted free agent in the offseason, Atlanta doesn't need to deal him as it can match any offer from another team if it wants to retain him.

The Atlanta Hawks traded 22-year-old wing Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill and a 2025 second-round draft pick (via the Brooklyn Nets) to the New York Knicks for Kevin Knox and a protected 2022 first-round pick (via the Charlotte Hornets) Thursday.

New York also waived Ryan Arcidiacono in a corresponding roster move.

Added details on the Cam Reddish trade to New York

💰Atlanta sent New York $834,589. The cash sent is reflective of what is owed to Solomon Hill.

🏀New York created a small $1.17M trade exception.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 14, 2022

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported the news of the trade.

The Hawks had been "canvassing the league" for a mid-tier first-round pick or a young player in a potential Reddish trade, Wojnarowski added. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers were among the teams to make recent inquiries into a possible move.

Reddish has been solid for the Hawks this season, averaging 11.9 points while shooting a career-high 37.9 percent from three. In just his third season, he's continued to be a solid depth piece for the team. 

But Atlanta does not lack depth on the wing, with Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter, Kevin Huerter and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot also available. The trio of Bogdanovic, Hunter and Huerter has emerged as the team's three best options, leaving fewer minutes for players such as Reddish. 

So a change of scenery might be the Duke alum's best route to maximizing his potential. New York is certainly banking on it. 

And it'll get more than one season with him to prove his fit with the franchise, as he's under contract through the 2022-23 season ($5.9 million) before he becomes a restricted free agent.

Reddish was the No. 10 overall pick by the Hawks in the 2019 NBA draft, six picks after the team nabbed Hunter. In Atlanta, he's been mostly cast as a nice role player, largely off the bench. 

The Knicks will be hoping to see him take the next step. 

He'll join a promising core in New York that includes Julius Randle, former Duke teammate RJ Barrett and Kemba Walker, among others, providing quality depth on the wing. Players like Barrett, Reddish, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin and Mitchell Robinson give the team a young group to build around, one currently buoyed by a number of solid veterans. 

Reddish isn't going to turn the Knicks into legitimate title contenders. But he'll help them in their push for a second straight playoff berth.

On the heels of general manager Travis Schlenk publicly expressing disappointment in his team's performance thus far, the Atlanta Hawks are reportedly looking into trade options on their own roster. 

Per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, rival executives say the Hawks have made Danilo Gallinari available for a first-round pick or possibly as part of a package in a bigger deal. 

Following a 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 3, Schlenk went on 92.9 The Game the next day to lament his team's performance this season. 

Schlenk: "It's the same thing every game. Ultimately, this all falls on me. So, we need to take a long look at this and see if this group is the group we saw last year in the second half of the season or if this is the group this year."

— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) January 4, 2022

Expectations were high in Atlanta coming into 2021-22 after the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals last season. 

The Hawks looked like they turned things around during a seven-game winning streak from Nov. 14-26 that moved their record to 11-9. Since that time, though, they have lost 13 of their last 19 games and are five games under .500. 

Atlanta's Achilles' heel so far has been on the defensive end. It ranks 28th in defensive rating (114.4 points allowed per 100 possessions), per Basketball Reference. 

Gallinari has seen a reduced role for the Hawks so far this season. The 33-year-old is shooting 39.7 percent from three, but his 9.8 points and 22.2 minutes per game are his lowest totals since he was a rookie in 2008-09. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Hawks are among the teams listed as potential suitors for Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons. 

Gallinari is making $20.5 million this season and is owed $21.5 million in 2022-23, per Spotrac.    

The New York Knicks have a "degree of interest" in trading for Atlanta Hawks wing Cam Reddish, per SNY's Ian Begley.

"The Knicks are also among the teams with a degree of interest in Cam Reddish, per sources familiar with the Reddish dynamic in Atlanta. The Hawks, per various reports, will make—or are making—Reddish available via trade."

The 22-year-old Reddish, who Atlanta selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, has averaged 11.9 points on 40.2 percent shooting (37.9 percent from three-point range) and 2.5 rebounds per game.

New York and Atlanta, which met in the first round of last year's playoffs, could both see some midseason shake-ups.

The 20-21 Knicks are tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference after finishing fourth last year, while the 17-22 Hawks sit 12th in the East after appearing in the conference finals in 2021.

This year's NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 10, at 3 p.m. ET.

Injuries have stunted Reddish's development in his three-year career. Right Achilles soreness notably played a big role in Reddish appearing in just 26 of the Hawks' 72 regular-season games last year.

Thankfully, Reddish has been healthier in 2021-22, playing 34 of 39 games. He missed four contests with a left wrist sprain and one more after spraining his right ankle.

Reddish has one more year left on his rookie deal before he can become a restricted free agent in 2023.

Regarding his future with the Hawks, ESPN's Brian Windhorst said the following on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast (h/t HoopsHype).

"I just think there’s a belief out there that maybe they’re not right now committed to giving Cam Reddish the type of contract he’s looking for," Windhorst said.

"And so he potentially could be on the move."

Reddish is coming off the bench for the Hawks of late as the team rolls with Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic as the starting wings. It'd probably be a similar situation on the Knicks, with Evan Fournier and RJ Barrett holding down those spots.

Still, taking a chance on a talented 22-year-old wing who has made significant strides from 2020-21, when he shot just 36.5 percent from the field, could be worth it for the Knicks or any other team looking to add to their rotation for the stretch run.

The Atlanta Hawks are expecting to be active ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline.

"Yeah, I don’t think there’s any reason for us not to be at this point," general manager Travis Schlenk said Tuesday on 92.9 The Game (h/t Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). "... I wouldn’t be doing my job if I just stuck my head in the sand and said things are great. I don’t think that’s doing my job."

The Hawks have fallen short of expectations this season, entering Tuesday with a 16-20 record that ranks fourth-worst in the Eastern Conference. The team was shorthanded the past few weeks because of injuries and the COVID protocols, but a 4-10 record in the last 14 games is still not ideal.

It could force the front office to be aggressive in search of players who can turn things around in the second half of the year.

The current roster certainly has what it takes to contend, as evident by last year's run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

There is loads of scoring depth throughout the roster, led by Trae Young who is likely headed to his second All-Star game with averages of 28.4 points and 9.5 assists per game.

Atlanta still has options ahead of the trade deadline with several players who could be used as trade bait for a bigger deal.

Shams Charania of The Athletic reported in December that Cam Reddish could be available in a trade, while Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer added that the Hawks would "entertain calls" on De'Andre Hunter.

Both players have one more year remaining on their rookie contracts and are in the middle of a logjam on the wing.

Atlanta could add one these players in a package for a star or at least add another established veteran who can upgrade the rotation.   

Trae Young scored 56 points and dished out 14 assists while helping lead the Atlanta Hawks to 131 points during Monday's game.

Turns out, even that wasn't enough to win.

That's because Atlanta's defense allowed 136 points to a Portland Trail Blazers squad that was playing without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Young opened up about the frustrations that come with his team struggling on the defensive end after the loss

"It's frustrating. It's not fun," Young said, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. "Being one of the best offensive teams in the league is a really good thing, but when you're letting teams score as much as you, it's not good for your team. We got to figure it out. We have time to figure it out. We have to do it. We have to keep the offense the way it's been going. We have to get more stops."

Expectations were high coming into the season for the Hawks, and for good reason.

They reached the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2020-21 campaign and had Young coming back as one of the most promising young playmakers in the league. That he was coming off a breakout performance in the playoffs only led to more optimism.

However, Monday's loss dropped them to 16-20 and 12th place in the Eastern Conference. They are closer to the 14th-placed Detroit Pistons (7-28) than the conference-leading Chicago Bulls (25-10), and they don't look nearly as dangerous for the top teams in the East.

The struggles on one end of the floor are almost solely to blame.

Atlanta is an ugly 27th in the league in defensive rating, which stands in stark contrast to its second-best offensive rating behind only the Utah Jazz, per NBA.com.

For as excellent as Young is, his struggles on defense have been a concern. The team's defensive rating is 105.7 when he is off the floor but 114.7 when he's on it. What's more, opponents shoot 1.5 percent better than their normal averages overall and 8.4 percent better within six feet of the basket when he is guarding them.

Young recognized the defensive woes in his comments and stressed the Hawks still have plenty of time to figure things out as they look to play their way back into the postseason picture.

That starts Wednesday with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings.