Could it be that the Jonathan Kuminga trade has reinvigorated the Atlanta Hawks?
That’s because the Hawks have gone unbeaten after acquiring the high-flying former Golden State Warrior, with their latest victory a 131-113 throttling of the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, no less.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced Atlanta with 23 points on 9-for-14 shooting, while Onyeka Okongwu added 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Jalen Johnson also helped out, putting up 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists for the Hawks, who have now won four straight to move above .500 for the first time since December.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 24 to pace the Bucks, who built an early 16-point lead but got outscored 62-45 in the second half. Milwaukee has lost four straight by a combined 97 points and is now five games behind the Hawks and the Charlotte Hornets.
Hawks Flying High in Jonathan Kuminga Era as Bucks Continue Free-Fall
Kuminga, whom the Hawks acquired in exchange for injury-prone big man Kristaps Porzingis, actually didn’t play against the Bucks. But he has been an impact player in the three games he has suited up. The 23-year-old forward in his previous games has been averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 67.7% shooting overall as he has fit in seamlessly with Atlanta’s young, dynamic core of Johnson, Okongwu, Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels.
With Kuminga in the lineup, the Hawks have notably turned it up on offense as a unit, scoring 119, 126, and 135 in their three wins since the ex-Warrior joined the fray. And with the way the Hawks have been firing on all cylinders lately, it’s looking like they could make one final push for a top-six finish in the East and an outright NBA playoff berth.
The Bucks, on the other hand, are continuing their free-fall, even with Antetokounmpo back in the lineup after missing five weeks due to a strained right calf. They’re now in danger of missing even the Play-In if they don’t turn things around soon.
