No Jalen Johnson, Clint Capela, Larry Nance, Jr., heck, there wasn’t even Kobe Bufkin available in a must-win game for the home team.
On Friday night, the Atlanta Hawks hosted the Miami Heat in an advance-or-go-home play-in game and lost 123-114 in overtime.
With the score 106-104 in favor of the Heat and 6.1 seconds remaining in the game, Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young scored his 21st and 22nd points of the game to tie the score at 106. Moments later Andrew Wiggins would barely miss a baseline fadeaway and the game would go into overtime.
With Atlanta behind 120-114 with less than a minute to play Mitchell connected from three again. Before the ball hit the ground after going through the net the “Let’s go Heat” chants began.
Heat reserve Davion Mitchell took over in overtime, making consecutive three-pointers and drawing a charge during the opening minutes of play.
After the game, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, looking a bit defeated, said, “I thought the way this group handled things through 80-plus games was commendable.”
Young was equally complimenraty of his teammates after the game.
“We fought all throughout the year and didn’t give up. I’m proud of my guys,” said Young, who added that he was sad he couldn’t give Hawks fans “at least game three and four here” against the Cleveland Cavaliers and former Atlanta Hawks star forward DeAndre Hunter.
Fans began chanting, “Beat the Heat” during warmups and the starting lineup announcements. The message didn’t get to the Hawks in time for Miami to jump out to a 10-0 advantage and force an early Atlanta timeout with 9:35 on the clock. The Hawks wouldn’t score their first basket until the 8:33 mark on an Onyeka Okongwu put-back. A Tre Young three-pointer and Zaccharie Risacher basket got Atlanta back into the game at 12-10. Though Atlanta would draw closer, Miami would end the first quarter ahead by nine points, 33-24.
The Miami lead would balloon to as much as 14 points during the second quarter behind balanced scoring from Tyler Herro (12 points), Andrew Wiggins (9 points), Bam Adebayo (10), and Haywood Highsmith (8). Atlanta got a three-pointer from Caris LeVert to cut Miami’s lead to nine points at halftime, 62-53.
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Shamea Morton performed her new single, “Neva Had” at halftime. A former Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Hawks dancer, Friday night was the first time she performed the song for an audience.
Following a pair of baskets from Wiggins that put Miami ahead 67-57, the Hawks proceeded to score seven unanswered points to pull to within three points with 8:46 remaining in the quarter. Miami answered back with a 13-2 run to bring the Hawks deficit back to double-figures. A Herro three-pointer, Kel’el Ware tip-in, and Highsmith layup kept the Miami offense running.
The Miami Heat bench came up big on the road Friday night. Reserve forward Kyle Anderson scored six points during the third quarter, both were on three-pointers with a Hawks defender draped all over him. Mitchell, a Hinesville native, with the Heat, contributed four points and five assists through three quarters.
The Hawks would get their first lead of the game at 91-90 courtesy of a Young three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter. Moments earlier he dove on the floor for a loose ball and the capacity crowd roared while cheering his effort.
The teams would exchange baskets throughout the quarter before Okongwu scored consecutive baskets on a three-pointer and a dunk to put Atlanta ahead 98-92. Herro’s consecutive 15-foot jumpers put Mimai back in front 99-98 with 3:01 remaining in the game.
The Heat will head to Cleveland to play the Cavaliers in the first round.
