Hawks drop 75-72 decision to Nets in Summer League opener

The Atlanta Hawks began their Summer League journey on Friday evening and basketball was certainly played. The end result, after a back-and-forth contest, was a 75-72 loss at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets.

The night began on a bright note, as the Hawks raced to a 20-10 lead that included this (very) deep three from two-way contract recipient Josh Magette.

In short order, the Nets erased that advantage (non-coincidentally when Atlanta’s starters left the floor) and that downturn continued into halftime. The Hawks were outscored 32-11 from that point until the break and that resulted in an 11-point halftime deficit.

The Summer Hawks then kept sliding to the point where Brooklyn led by 19 points at 57-38 but there was a bit of a rally coming. Atlanta closed within a single point in the final seconds but that run wasn’t quite enough to overcome the sizable deficit and escape with a win.

DeAndre Bembry led the way for the Hawks with 22 points (on 10 of 18 shooting) and he was flanked by 14 points and five rebounds from Taurean Prince. It comes as no surprise that Bembry and Prince would be key contributors in July and first-round pick John Collins added eight points and 11 rebounds in his first professional action.

Elsewhere, 2016 second-round pick Isaia Cordinier struggled mightily (1-5 FG, 2 points and a -22 in 10 minutes) and point guard Josh Magette performed admirably in a caretaker role offensively. Finally, newly acquired center Diamond Stone was absent from the action, presumably due to his late arrival and the absence of practice time.

The Hawks will return to action on Sunday afternoon, as they face off against the New Orleans Pelicans at 4:00 pm ET. Stay tuned.