The Atlanta Hawks opened their preseason schedule with a 132-123 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. A sluggish first half proved too much to overcome despite a much-improved defensive effort after halftime.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit a three-pointer for the game's first points. The Hawks' starting unit looked sharp early, building an 11-point lead with solid defense. That advantage evaporated in a difficult second quarter. Memphis found its rhythm and poured in 49 points, taking an 81-61 lead into the break. The Hawks' regular starters were largely pulled for the third quarter, with only Kingston Flemings remaining on the floor. The new group, featuring Corey Kispert and rookie Asa Newell, changed the game's energy. Kispert scored 10 perfect points in the period, and the defense tightened up to hold Memphis to just 29 points. The Hawks trailed 110-98 entering the fourth. Jalen Wilson hit two threes to cut the deficit to single digits. Newell was relentless on the offensive glass, but the Grizzlies always had a response to stop the rally short.
Corey Kispert finished as the team's high scorer with 19 points, showing efficient shooting from the field. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 14 points, including that opening three for his first NBA points. Rookie Asa Newell made a strong impression off the bench, contributing 12 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. His activity on the boards and in transition provided a needed spark. Dorian Finney-Smith saw his first minutes in the third quarter and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor.
This preseason contest follows a regular season where the Hawks showed a mixed recent form of three wins and two losses in their last five games. The preseason is a time for evaluation and rotation testing, and the Hawks' second-half lineup provided plenty to consider.
The Hawks continue their preseason slate on October 8 against the San Antonio Spurs. Coaches will be looking to build on the defensive improvements shown after halftime in this opener. Player rotations will be watched closely as the team works to solidify its rotation ahead of the regular season. The performance of the younger players and bench unit offers optimism for depth as the schedule progresses.
