Atlanta Hawks Use Strong Third Quarter To Power Past Golden State Warriors

We all circled Saturday night on the calendar for one very specific reason: the Jonathan Kuminga revenge game. After the Golden State Warriors shipped the former No. 7 overall pick to Atlanta back in February, you just knew the 23-year-old was itching to drop a 30-piece on Steve Kerr’s head. But basketball, much like life, rarely follows the Hollywood script.

Instead of a cinematic thriller, the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena witnessed the Atlanta Hawks systematically dismantle a battered Golden State squad, cruising to a breezy 126-110 victory.

The Revenge Game That Wasn’t for Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga’s highly anticipated grudge match was, frankly, a dud. Coming off the bench, he checked in late in the first quarter, gave a quick, business-like nod to his former teammates, and then proceeded to build a brick house. Finishing with just 2 points on a brutal 1-of-9 shooting night, Kuminga looked entirely out of rhythm.

You could practically feel the frustration radiating off him. He wanted this one badly, but the basketball gods simply said, “Not tonight.” Adding an odd layer of irony to the whole situation? The guy he was traded for, Kristaps Porzingis, didn’t even play due to lower back spasms.

Dyson Daniels and CJ McCollum Lead the Hawks’ Charge

But who needs a revenge narrative when you have Dyson Daniels deciding to morph into a primary scoring option? With star Forward Jalen Johnson scratched late due to left shoulder inflammation, the Hawks desperately needed someone to steer the ship. Enter Daniels.

He dropped a career-high-tying 28 points, snagged 7 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists. He completely owned the first quarter with 15 points, slicing through Golden State’s non-existent interior defense with an array of smooth floaters and aggressive drives.

And let’s not forget about the wily veteran, CJ McCollum. Turning back the clock, McCollum torched the Warriors for 23 points on an incredibly efficient 10-of-16 shooting.

The Third Quarter Avalanche

If the first half was a competitive sparring match, the third quarter was a first-round knockout. The Hawks came out swinging, unleashing a devastating 25-5 run that effectively ended the game before the fourth quarter even started.

The Hawks tightened the defensive screws, forced a flurry of uncharacteristic Golden State turnovers, and pushed the tempo relentlessly. By the time the dust settled on the frame, Atlanta held a commanding 102-81 lead, hitting an absurd 12 of their 13 two-point field goals in the quarter. They outscored Golden State 64-44 in the paint overall, treating the rim like a buffet.

Mo Gueye and the Bench Mob Step Up

We have to take a second to talk about the absolute phenomenon that was Mouhamed Gueye on Saturday night. Handed a rare start in Johnson’s absence, the big man seized the opportunity with both hands and refused to let go. Gueye tallied 16 points and 10 rebounds, finishing with a team-high +22. Oh, and he casually went a perfect 4-for-4 from three-point land.

Hearing the Atlanta faithful chant his name while he thoroughly outplayed Draymond Green was the kind of heartwarming, organic sports moment you just can’t manufacture in a lab.

A Golden State Team Running On Fumes

As for the Warriors? It’s hard not to feel a little sympathy for them. They rolled into town looking like a mobile triage unit. No Steph Curry (progressing from runner’s knee, but still relegated to street clothes). No Porzingis. No Moses Moody, Al Horford, or Gary Payton II.

De’Anthony Melton fought valiantly, pouring in a team-high 20 points while playing on the second night of a back-to-back following his long ACL recovery. Green chipped in 13 points while soaking up his usual chorus of boos from the opposing crowd. But golden eras eventually tarnish, and right now, this Golden State roster simply doesn’t have the horses to keep up when the injury bug bites this hard.

Bouncing back from an ugly Friday night loss in Houston that snapped their 11-game winning streak, the Hawks proved their resilience. They didn’t pout; they just reloaded and protected their home court for the 10th straight time. The Hawks now sit pretty at 39-32, ready to welcome the Memphis Grizzlies next.