The Hawks did not appear in the best shape on the floor of New Orleans, while they suffered four losses in a row, including two against Washington. But opposite, the Pelicans are also in great difficulty, not to say decimated with the absence of what would make a nice major five between CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III and Zion Williamson.
After having succeeded in isolating Brandon Ingram (32 points), Atlanta had plenty of time to dominate at the end, with a more aggressive defense, and a Young-Johnson tandem which dictated its law on the other side of the floor.
Atlanta got off to the best start, leading 13-4 following the great start of Zaccharie Risacher, author of the first two baskets of the match, then imitated by Jalen Johnson (4-13). The French rookie continued his good start by offering himself a dunk after intercepting the ball, but New Orleans ended up regaining its senses, with great shots of 3-point baskets. Brandon Boston Jr. and Brandon Ingram opened the ball, followed shortly after by Jamal Cain and Daniel Theis to tie the score at 25-25.
We thought the locals were finally launched, especially after the 14-2 concluded by the 2+1 from Javonte Green and the new 3-pointer from Brandon Ingram (52-45). Until the latter collected his third foul, on a screen that was a little too strong less than two minutes before the break, a much more important fact of play than expected after the break (59-58).
Quin Snyder's men set about targeting him to get him out of the match, which Jalen Johnson managed to do in less than five minutes on a dunk with the bonus foul, the fourth from the leader of the Pelicans. In the process, Atlanta passed an 11-2 to take control and never let go until the end, with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson to punish the slightest opposing defensive gap (71-83), without forgetting the precious relays in former Pelicans, Larry Nance Jr and Dyson Daniels, to drive the point home.
Brandon Ingram struggled to briefly bring his team to -5 (97-102), but the Hawks responded with a 14-0 thanks to his iron defense and his outfielders to shine in the air in attack, at image of dunks by Jalen Johnson and that of Keaton Wallace (97-116). Dyson Daniels offered himself a dunk in his turn before leaving it to Trae Young to finish the job on two 3-point shots, in order to validate a clear success, 126 to 111.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jalen Johnson confirms. Building on the momentum of his previous season, the Hawks winger returned to the 2024/25 season with a bang and perhaps delivered his best performance last night with 29 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. The absences of Bogdan Bogdanovic and De'Andre Hunter give him more opportunity to express himself with the ball in hand and the result is very promising.
– Zaccharie Risacher in training. The Frenchman compiled 11 points on 4/13 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Still a little shy, he especially missed layups, sometimes easy, which lowered his overall skill. He must therefore learn to better resist contact in his finishes.
– Brandon Ingram alone against everyone. We believed him capable of taking these Pelicans as they stood to victory, but the mission was ultimately too complicated for Brandon Ingram, forced to carry his team in attack and targeted in defense. His third foul before the break shifted the balance of power, and unfortunately for him, no New Orleans player had a hot enough hand to take over, Jordan Hawkins having been the only element of the gang to have exceeded the 15 points (19 to 7/18 shooting).
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
