:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46713108/usa-today-8157730.0.jpg)
The Atlanta Hawks opened up the Las Vegas Summer League with a loss to the Denver Nuggets, led by Emmanuel Mudiay, by a final score of 86-71 on Friday night.
Mike Muscala started off the first five minutes of the game 2-for-2 from the field with six points and three rebounds for the Hawks, continuing his trend of good play from the postseason. Terran Petteway also came out strong, with five points of his own, as well as a steal in the first five minutes. Edy Tavares, the 7-3 prospect didn't come out as strong as the Hawks would have hoped, going 0-for-2 from the field with two rebounds.
Emmanuel Mudiay also showed us why he was the 7th overall pick in the draft, showing great speed and athleticism, scoring 4 points on 2-of-3 shooting, with two rebounds and an assist. After what was a close first quarter, the Nuggets stretched out a 24-15 lead at the end of the quarter.
The Hawks narrowed the gap to 43-36 to finish off the half. Lamar Patterson led the Hawks in scoring for the half with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field. Patterson also contributed three points and three assists. Mike Muscala slowed down from his first half performance, shooting 3-of-9 from the field. Edy Tavares got his first two points of the game on an alley-oop from Lamar Patterson in the final seconds of the half. Emmanuel Mudiay and Jamaal Franklin had eight points apiece, leading the Nuggets in the first half.
The third quarter belonged to the Nuggets. Mudiay was clearly the best perimeter player in the quarter, making Hawks defenders look very inferior. Lamar Patterson continued to lead the Hawks on the offensive end, in a quarter where the Hawks were outscored 23-15. Nikola Jokic made the Nuggets first 3-pointer of the game to close out the quarter with the Nuggets holding a 66-51 lead.
The fourth quarter was much of the same for the Nuggets, who were just too much for the summer league Hawks, with a final score of 86-71. Rookie Emmanuel Mudiay had 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists in his debut. Gary Harris led the Nuggets with 15 points, and added four rebounds, as well as three assists.
Lamar Patterson led Hawks scorers with 16. Brandon Ashley contributed 15 points and five rebounds. Mike Muscala had eight points, and led the Hawks with six rebounds. Edy Tavares finished with just four points and five rebounds.
The Hawks will look to bounce back on Sunday, when they face the Golden State Warriors at 8:30 p.m. EST.