The Hawks came into this game in Cleveland already at a schedule disadvantage, having played in Toronto on Wednesday and Friday then traveling back across the border to Cleveland for this second leg of a back-to-back. Then, prior to tip-off, the team learned that they would be without the services of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela in addition to a handful of other absences.
Even with the return of De’Andre Hunter, fatigue and lack of player availability proved too much as the Hawks fell to the Cavaliers, 127-119.
Out of the gate, the Hawks just could not match Cleveland’s pace and execution.