The seemingly endless NBA All-Star break is over and the Atlanta Hawks returned to the floor in competitive action on Thursday evening against the Miami Heat. In what was a wildly entertaining game, the Hawks began the stretch run on a high note, topping the playoff-bound Heat by a final score of 129-124 on a night best remembered for Trae Young’s career-high explosion with 50 points.
The Hawks drew first blood, with De’Andre Hunter generating the first bucket of the second “half” by beating the shot clock at the rim.
Atlanta struggled in the opening minutes, though, with the Heat taking an 11-4 lead amid some uneven play from the home team.