Hawks Soar in Preseason Opener, and Falcons Welcome Van Jefferson - ATL ReKap

Good evening, and welcome back to another blog. I hope you're all still riding high after yesterday's thrilling win against the Phillies in game 2 of the divisional series. Tomorrow, the Braves are scheduled to face off against the Philadelphia Phillies in the third game of the NLDS at 5:07 PM EST. While the starting pitcher for the Braves is yet to be confirmed, my bet is on A.J. Smith-Shavwer, given his solid recent performances. Unfortunately, Bryce Elder hasn't been up to par in his last outings.

In unfortunate news, pitcher Kyle Wright has been placed on the 60-day IL once again, ruling him out for the rest of the postseason as he undergoes shoulder surgery. Be sure to check in after the game tomorrow for a comprehensive recap.

Shifting gears to the Atlanta Hawks, they took on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, securing a narrow victory of 108-107 in their first preseason game. The starting lineup featured Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson at SF, Clint Capela as the anchor in the paint, Trae Young at the point, and Dejounte Murray at SG.

Although the Hawks won the tip-off, they couldn't convert on their opening drive. The Cavs struck first with an open three, but Murray swiftly responded with a contested three-pointer, leveling the score at 3-3. The connection between Trae Young and Clint Capela was palpable from the get-go, with Young threading a pass to Capela who executed a euro step before a thunderous slam, pushing the lead to 5-3. Capela's defensive prowess in blocking shots in the paint was instrumental.

One of the key factors in today's victory was the Hawks' ability to capitalize on fast-break opportunities. They hustled to turn turnovers into quick points, a crucial element of their game. The synergy between Jalen Johnson and Dejounte Murray was evident as the Cavs coughed up the ball, leading to a steal by DJ who then set up Johnson for an emphatic one-handed slam.

Onyeka Okongwu emerged as a standout bench player tonight, contributing 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including two three-pointers. His presence in grabbing rebounds and providing solid defense was invaluable. Trae Young had a decent shooting performance, sinking two crucial three-pointers, but struggled overall, going 2 for 7 from the field and totaling 12 points. Capela's defensive excellence shone through, accompanied by strong rebounding, and he finished with 7 points on 2-of-3 shooting.

Fan-favorite Dejounte Murray put in a commendable performance, going 2-of-4 from beyond the arc and notching 6 points, along with a steal. Second-year forward A.J. Griffin was pivotal, contributing 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting, including a three-pointer. Trent Forrest was exceptional, posting 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a game-winning spin fadeaway and a last-second layup to secure the 108-107 victory.

I'm eagerly anticipating what the Hawks have in store for us this season, especially given the impactful plays we saw from both the starters and the bench tonight. The Hawks are slated to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday at 7:30 PM EST. Stay tuned for a recap after the game.

In other exciting news, the Falcons have made a significant acquisition in Rams WR Van Jefferson, a key player in the 2022 Super Bowl victory. His speed and skill set are poised to make a major impact for the team. Adding to the excitement is the fact that his father, Shawn Jefferson, was a former Falcon, creating a special familial connection to the team. The Falcons are gearing up to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday at 1 PM EST. Stay tuned for a recap after the game. Wishing you all a fantastic evening, and I'll catch up with you tomorrow after game three of the NLDS.