ATL ReKap: MLK Day Special - Featuring Trae's Triumph, Braves' Bold Move, and Falcons' Belichick Buzz

Good evening everyone and welcome back to another blog on ATL ReKap. I hope you all are having a fantastic MLK day as we head to the end of this long weekend. Please stay warm tonight and throughout the week as the temperature is going down into the teens, so make sure to stay careful and warm.

Atlanta Hawks

This afternoon, the Atlanta Hawks faced first-pick Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, taking home the W with a score of 109-99. The Hawks rocked their city edition jerseys on the matching black and blue court this afternoon.

Trae Young led the Hawks in scoring, putting up an impressive 36 points, going 11-24 from the field and 6-11 from beyond the arch. These are the numbers you expect from Trae Young on a regular day, and it's great to see him back in business after the last two nights. This afternoon, Trae Young achieved a significant milestone, reaching 10,000 career points and becoming the 10th youngest player in NBA history to accomplish this feat. Congratulations to Trae!

Trae's performance was outstanding, putting up 29 points at the half, 7 assists, and shooting 6-7 from beyond the three-point range. His plays included hitting logo threes and showcasing shifty moves in the paint, earning cheers from everyone in the arena. Even rapper 2Chainz and his son Halo were mic'd up, shivering excitedly as Young dominated the game.

One notable moment was Trae's buzzer-beater layup at the end of the first quarter, adding 10 points to his impressive tally. At the end of the third quarter, Trae exhibited his ball-handling skills with a behind-the-back crossover, driving to the rim for a floater just in time for the buzzer.

Jalen Johnson followed Trae in scoring with 16 points, going 7-13 from the field and 1-2 from beyond the arch. At the half, Johnson had an astonishing stat line of 11 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and an incredible 5 steals. The chemistry between Trae Young and Jalen Johnson was evident with an exhilarating alley-oop during the game. By the end of the match, Johnson put up 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 6 steals, securing a double-double for the afternoon.

Dejounte Murray contributed 13 points, going 6-15 from the field and 1-6 from beyond the arch. A notable play from Murray was a pick-n' roll where the ball rolled a little too high but went straight through the basket. Murray also managed 13 rebounds and a block by the end of the game.

Trade talks between the Hawks and Lakers for Dejounte Murray are set to resume this week. The Hawks have set a price, seeking 2 first-round picks for Murray and possibly a big man, such as Pascal Siakam.

Clint Capela and Saddiq Bey put up 23 points this afternoon with 16 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 blocks. The Atlanta Hawks are set to play the Orlando Magic on Pride Night on Wednesday night at 7:30 PM. The Hawks are favored to win 57% to 43%. Catch me after the game for a recap!

Atlanta Braves

Shifting gears to the Braves, earlier this morning, the Braves made waves by agreeing to a $5 million deal with 17-year-old Venezuelan shortstop Jose Perdomo, per MLB Pipeline. This marks the Braves' largest international amateur free-agent signing ever.

In additional Braves news, Charlie Culberson has re-signed with the team on a minor league deal. Culberson, a utility player, is set to report to the minor league camp as a pitcher. At 35 in April, the veteran player has had a versatile career, playing for the Giants, Rockies, Dodgers, Braves, and Rangers. He has showcased his defensive skills across various positions on the field and has even made appearances as a pitcher.

Charlie Culberson's pitching prowess was evident in his appearances. He has tossed 7 1/3 innings over his eight appearances in the big leagues, allowing just one earned run, three walks, and seven hits while striking out one opponent. Culberson's versatility extends to the mound, where he has clocked at 93.7 miles per hour, as noted in an appearance back in 2018. In Triple-A last year, he hit 93.1, showcasing his ability on both ends of the field.

Atlanta Falcons

Now turning our attention to the Atlanta Falcons, the team is making headlines with the interview of former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Belichick, renowned for leading Tom Brady and the Patriots to win 5 Super Bowls, is reportedly of "mutual interest" with the Atlanta Falcons to become the next head coach. Adding to the excitement, Rob Gronkowski expressed his belief that the Falcons are "coming in hot" for the 5x Super Bowl Champion coach.

Stay tuned to ATL ReKap for the latest updates as these stories unfold. The sports scene in Atlanta is buzzing with excitement, and we'll be here to keep you informed every step of the way!