Outkast Night celebration as Clippers beat Hawks

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Clippers were in town. Not necessarily the toughest test if their 5-16 overall record was any indication of how the team is playing this season, but another chance for the Hawks to get back on the winning track. Unfortunately for Atlanta, you don’t play the games in the standings. Sans future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, Clippers all-stars James Harden (27 points, 9 assists) and Kawhi Leonard (21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) led the Clippers to a 115-92 victory.

Harden scored 15 points during the first half, setting the tone for Los Angeles’ offense. Ivica Zubac (14 points) led all players with 17 rebounds, and the Clippers out-rebounded the Hawks 54-38 in the process.  Former Atlanta Hawks forward and fan favorite John Collins added 15 points and nine rebounds during the game. Collins received light applause when his name was called during the starting lineups announcements.

The Hawks were without leading scorer Jalen Johnson (calf), Trae Young (out for at least the next two weeks due to a right knee MCL strain), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and it showed. The team struggled to create quality scoring opportunities. Atlanta was 7-20 from three during the first half and was down 14 points. Atlanta managed to only have one lead during the game, and that came midway through the second quarter when they went ahead 33-32 on a three-point play from Dyson Daniels (15 points, 2 steals). 

Luke Kennard and rookie forward Asa Newell each scored 11 points off the bench. Hawks forward Caleb Houston (3 points in 5 minutes) entered the game in the fourth quarter. Houston played for the College Park Skyhawks earlier in the afternoon. 

Los Angeles would lead the game by as many as 18 points during the third quarter and by more than 20 points before Hawks head coach Quin Snyder pulled the starters out of the game.

The Hawks will host the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. The Nuggets got 52 points from guard Jamal Murray during their 135-120 victory in Indiana on Wednesday.

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