ATL ReKap: Hawks Fall Short in High-Scoring Duel, Falcons Welcome Raheem Morris as HC, Braves Acquire J.P. Martinez

Good evening and welcome back to another ATL ReKap blog. I trust you're enjoying a wonderful Friday evening as the weekend draws to a close. I extend my apologies for my week-long absence, but I assure you that I'm back on my A-game, starting with tonight's update.

Atlanta Hawks

Tonight, the Atlanta Hawks faced off against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, unfortunately falling short in a high-scoring game, concluding with a score of 148-143. Firstly, congratulations are in order for Luka, who scored an impressive 73 points, achieving a career-high. It's worth noting that Luka, who was originally drafted by the Hawks, showcased his prowess against his former team. While Trae Young remains an exceptional player, the hindsight of retaining Luka lingers. Trae, despite facing challenges, led the Hawks tonight with 30 points, making an impact after returning from a concussion. He shot 9-18 from the field and 2-7 from beyond the arc. Noteworthy moments include an impressive icy and-1 in the first quarter, and a third-quarter play against Dante Exum that brought the game to 108-103.

Trae finished the night with a total of 11 assists, 1 rebound, and 3 steals. Following Trae's lead in scoring, Jalen Johnson contributed 25 points, displaying an impressive shooting percentage of 10-12 from the field and 2-3 from beyond the arc. Johnson's all-around performance included 3 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block.

Dejounte Murray, amidst trade rumors, showcased his skills tonight, putting up 22 points with a shooting percentage of 9-18 from the field and 3-7 from beyond the arc. As trade talks intensify, the Lakers are reportedly interested, offering their 2029 first-round pick for Murray. The possibility of a three-team trade is speculated, considering the Lakers' interest in D'Angelo Russell, though the Hawks may not be keen on him.

Off the bench, Bogdan Bogdanovich continued to shine, making a strong case for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Scoring 24 points tonight with a 9-22 shooting record and 4-9 from beyond the arc, Bogi displayed an array of skills, including reverse layups, three-pointers, fadeaways, and dynamic drives into the paint. His performance also included 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

Looking ahead, the Atlanta Hawks are scheduled to face Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors on Sunday evening at 6 PM. ESPN predicts a tight matchup, with the Hawks being favored to win by a slim margin of 51% to 49%. Stay tuned for the post-game recap!

Atlanta Falcons

Shifting our focus to the Falcons, there has been a significant development as they've appointed former Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris as their new Head Coach (HC). Morris, who previously served as the Falcons Interim HC in 2020, securing a 4-7 record in 11 games following the dismissal of HC Dan Quinn, will now lead the team on a more permanent basis. Despite the numerous high-profile names available in this coaching class, opting to rehire a coach we rejected four years ago is undoubtedly one of the more intriguing decisions in recent memory. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this decision. While I initially harbored excitement at the prospect of Bill Belichick joining the team, Morris brings a wealth of experience in both offense and defense. However, his previous tenure as the Buccaneers HC was not without its challenges. Let's remain hopeful that this relatively young HC will bring positive changes to the team.

The decision to bring back Morris has received positive feedback from many players and former players. Jalen Ramsey, formerly with the Rams and now with the Dolphins, expressed his enthusiasm on Twitter, stating, "Falcons got one of, if not the best coach in the NFL for real!" RG3 also tweeted in support, saying, "Raheem Morris is the @AtlantaFalcons new Head Coach, and his story is one of perseverance." Richard Sherman echoed these sentiments, tweeting, "Great hire for the @AtlantaFalcons! Congrats to Raheem Morris. Looking forward to seeing him have success there."

In a parallel move, the Jacksonville Jaguars have secured former Falcons Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen for the same position. This comes as a significant blow to the Falcons, given that their defense was a key factor in keeping them competitive in most games and ranked among the top 10 units this past season.

Atlanta Braves

Turning our attention briefly to the Braves, there's notable news on the player acquisition front. The Braves have successfully obtained outfielder J.P. Martinez in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Tyler Owens, according to Justin Toscano.

Martinez, a 27-year-old outfielder, made his major league debut last year, featuring in 17 games and amassing 44 plate appearances. During this time, he showcased a batting line of .225/.250/.325 (9-for-40) with a double, home run, and four RBIs. His performance in the minor leagues in 2023 included an impressive 41 stolen bases. Adding depth to the outfield, Martinez is expected to compete for a bench spot during spring training. The acquisition provides the Braves with additional options and strengthens their roster as they prepare for the upcoming season.