The Hawks’ ongoing struggles with slow starts are evident, as seen in their recent clash against the Miami Heat. Despite facing a Heat lineup missing key players such as Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, and Caleb Martin, Atlanta conceded a staggering 41 points in the opening quarter. While they’ve managed comebacks in previous games, they fell short against in this one. It’s crucial to note, however, that these concerning statistics are based on just a nine-game sample size.
In the first quarter, the Hawks possess the NBA’s second-worst defensive rating at 127.0, only surpassed by the Los Angeles Lakers, who currently hold a 5-5 record.