The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks met tonight in Mexico City and the result was a brilliant battle of wills. The Hawks team, led by Trae Young, defeated the Magic in a 119-120 victory. Atlanta’s four-game winning streak was brought to a stop by OKC on Monday. But they rebounded right back with a well-fought win over Magic.

Orlando, on the other hand, also came off a 117-102 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. No one will say that tonight’s game’s outcome was for the lack of effort. Here are the three key takeaways from the Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks game.

1. Trae Young is well and truly out of his cold streak

Nicknamed “Ice Trae” for his cold and calculated gameplay, Young seemed to have been out of touch lately. The stats on his season opener and a few games afterward are proof enough to show this. Trae’s matchup against the Hornets at their season opener saw him put up just 23 points on 21.1% field goals despite playing for 36 minutes. We can say the same for the following games – against the Knicks, an 18 on 25.0% field goals, and the Thunder game, 22 points on 27.8% field goals.

This time, though, “Ice Trae” erupted like a volcano and scored 41 points. Add to this the go-ahead three-pointer that DeJounte Murray threw, which led to the Hawks’ victory with 31 seconds left on the clock. Young has always been viewed with doubt owing to his 6’2 frame. But he sees it as an opportunity to get on over his opponents. Trae’s small frame allows him to move fast and change lanes quickly.

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And of course, his scoring is what makes him an elite player in the NBA. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor and has proven himself to be capable of kicking down shots from beyond the 3-point line. Tonight’s game saw the Trae Young that the Hawks drafted in 2018.

2. Is Jalen Johnson what the Hawks looked for in John Collins?

Since Coach Snyder took over the Atlanta Hawks, we have seen Jalen Johnson on the court more. No surprise there. The 6’8 power forward was a perfect replacement for John Collins. Collins’ time with the Hawks was coming to an end. It was just a question of when. It happened this season when he was traded to the Utah Jazz.

In his 2019-20 season with Atlanta, Collins’ production had dropped to a point where he averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds. By last season, he became more of a second-option player who played less than 30 minutes on the floor. But his move left a huge gap in the Hawks roster, which Snyder managed to fill with Johnson.

And he answered the call. The preseason saw Jalen dominating the court. Not only was he the perfect running mate for Young, but his perimeter defense and shots were also brilliant. Johnson’s stats this season average 14.9 points per game, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Atlanta’s matchup against Milwaukee saw Johnson standing his ground against Antetokounmpo. Since then, Snyder has used him in the starting lineup against bigger frontcourts.

3. While Defense remains a concern, Onyeka Okongwu has an answer

Since his draft in 2020, Onyeka Okongwu has been the backup to Clint Capela. Capela is pretty fast for a 6’11 player, and more often than not, he can outrun his defenders. And while tonight’s game saw Capela on a rebound (11) streak, Okongwu provided four blocks and three steals which got the team a great boost on the defensive end on the bench.

Trae Young Stats vs Bucks: Will Hawks’ 2X All-Star Finally Snap Out of His Cold Streak?

When the Atlanta Hawks traded John Collins to the Utah Jazz, the immediate question was who would take his place? The first choice was Onyeka Okongwu. The 6’9, 245-pound big man, with a wingspan of 7’1, was a sensational player coming off playing for the Trojans. His stats as a freshman were beyond impressive – 16.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game.

Okongwu’s shot blocking is elite – be it one-on-one or coming over to help on defense. What makes him an even rare gem is his ability to stay out of foul trouble. Though his rebounding skills are neat, tonight’s game didn’t see much of that. That does not diminish his defensive skills in the least. His impressive wingspan is another advantage the Hawks can make use of. Even if Okongwu cannot get the block, his arms can definitely affect the opponent’s shot.

It won’t be long before the Hawks are back in the game again. Tonight saw a glimpse of the comeback. Hopefully, we can see more of them in the coming matchups.

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