On Wednesday night, the Orlando Magic fell in a tough game to the Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young lit Orlando up, racking up 32 points and 8 assists. Nikola Vucevic played well though, despite the loss. Vucevic had 29 points and 9 rebounds. Terrence Ross and Michael Carter-Williams also played well for Orlando, both putting up 20+ points.
Overview
The Orlando Magic had a 61-42 lead at halftime, before collapsing in the fourth quarter. Atlanta shot 9 of 13 on 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and made 21 of 45 from beyond the arc overall, outscoring Orlando 37-22.
“We talk all the time about playing 48 minutes and it took all 48 minutes of playing this game to get it,” McMillan said after the Hawks improved to 2-5 on the second night of a back-to-back. “Our guys did not give up and it’s a testament of our character. It took all 48 minutes, but we got it.”
Hawks Coaching Change
Lloyd Pierce was fired on Monday, after starting the season 15-19. Many players in the Hawks organization told management they wanted Pierce fired. There had also been tension with Pierce, and the face of the Hawks, PG Trae Young. As a result, Atlanta moved on to Nate McMillan, who was fired from the Pacers after failing to get past the first round for the past four seasons. McMillan is now 2-0 as the Head Coach for the Hawks.
Quick Notes
- Terrence Ross, who made his second start in three seasons and scored 28 points, missed a runner in the lane in the closing seconds.
- All five Hawks starters made at least three 3-pointers.
- Danilo Gallinari hit five 3-pointers and scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half.
- Evan Fournier (Magic) and Clint Capela (Hawks) didn’t play on Wednesday night.
- Orlando lost their fifth straight game.
- Next up: Magic vs. Heat on March 11.
- Next up: Hawks vs. Raptors on March 11.