The Atlanta Hawks aim to build on their recent success as they prepare to face the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night, following a commanding 110-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets. This game marks the second stop on a four-game Western road trip for the Hawks and could also be a significant moment for the Curry family.
In their latest game, Atlanta showcased the strength of newcomer Dyson Daniels, who notched his first career triple-double in place of the traded Trae Young. Despite missing Kristaps Porzingis due to a strained Achilles and Zaccharie Risacher with a sore left knee, the Hawks displayed resilience and a strong defensive effort, marking their lowest points allowed this season. Atlanta is eagerly anticipating the debut of CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, who were recently acquired from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Young. All four players could be in uniform for the upcoming match.
Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the team’s need for aggression on both ends of the court, emphasizing the importance of building on their current momentum. “The more aggressive we can be, that helps our group,” Snyder stated post-victory.
Historical matchups between the Hawks and Warriors have consistently been high-scoring, with both teams splitting their last eight meetings and averaging 129.6 points per game. This matchup will be notably different with Young out, as Stephen Curry, who has been on a scoring spree with an average of 29.8 points per game since returning from injury, takes center stage. Curry is just six points away from passing Joe and Kobe Bryant for the second place in career points scored by father-son duos in the NBA, presenting a neat subplot to the encounter.
Following a strong performance where Curry tallied 27 points and 10 assists in a win against the Sacramento Kings, Golden State heads into this game with renewed confidence. Warriors coach Steve Kerr highlighted that the team’s recent surge, securing eight wins in their last eleven games, reflects a cohesive rotation rather than relying solely on Curry.
If McCollum makes his Hawks debut on Sunday, he will be familiar with the challenge that the Warriors present, having played 33 regular-season games against them during his tenure in Portland. Kispert also has connections to Golden State, as he was an option for the Warriors during the 2021 draft.
With the stage set for a thrilling matchup, both teams are looking to solidify their momentum as the season progresses, adding an exciting dynamic to this eagerly anticipated game.