Trae Young lifts Hawks past Mavericks in OT, 132-130
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Hakim Wright Sr.
ATLANTA — Trae Young made two free throws with 1.8 seconds remaining in overtime to give Atlanta the lead and the Hawks beat the Dallas Mavericks 132-130 on Sunday night to keep pace in the Eastern Conference play-in race.
Young was fouled by Kyrie Irving, who scored 41 points, with the game tied at 130. Following Young's free throws, Luke Doncic, who scored 22 points, missed a last-second 3-pointer.
The Hawks (39-39) moved back into eighth place in the play-in race. Toronto and Chicago put pressure on the Hawks with wins before Atlanta’s game. The Hawks have the tiebreaker advantage over Toronto.
The Hawks entered the game only a half-game ahead of the 10th-place Bulls for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.
Dallas (37-42) remained 11th in the Western Conference, one spot out of the play-in.
Irving's mid-range jumper with 37 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 121. Saddiq Bey's layup gave the lead back to Atlanta.
Christian Wood was fouled by John Collins and made one free throw before missing the second with 1.2 seconds remaining. With 0.4 seconds remaining, Atlanta's Clint Capela fouled JaVale McGee near the basket as McGee reached for Doncic's inbound pass. McGee missed the first free throw and made the second to tie the game at 123 and force overtime.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against Atlanta Hawks forward Saddiq Bey during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Hakim Wright Sr.
John Collins' 3-pointer, followed by Clint Capela's jam, gave Atlanta an 84-74 lead midway through the third period. The Hawks stretched the advantage to 15 points at 91-76, but Dallas used a 15-3 run to close the deficit to 94-91 entering the final period.
Hawks small forward De'Andre Hunter missed his second consecutive game after an MRI on Saturday revealed a bone bruise and muscle strain in his left knee.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder said Hunter is “a unique player and very important ... for his ability to take a defensive matchup.” Snyder said before the game Hunter would have been valuable in the matchups against the Mavericks, where the presence of small forward Tim Hardaway Jr. makes it more difficult to devote extra defensive attention to Doncic and Irving.
TIP-INS:
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, April 2, 2023, in Atlanta. Credit: AP/Hakim Wright Sr.
Mavericks: Coach Jason Kidd made a pregame plea for improved contributions from his bench “on both ends.” It was part of his emphasis on improved overall defensive play. “It's effort. It's grit,” Kidd said. “It's what you want to do as much as energy.” Kidd complained the Mavs' defense was “nonexistent” in a 129-122 loss at Miami on Saturday night. ... Christian Wood had 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Hawks: Saddiq Bey had 13 points as the fill-in starter for Hunter. ... Capela had 14 points and 11 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Mavericks: Begin streak of three straight home games to finish regular season when they host Sacramento on Wednesday night.
Hawks: At Chicago on Tuesday night.
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