De’Andre Hunter scored 24 points, and Dyson Daniels delivered a game-saving block in the final seconds as the Atlanta Hawks edged the Sacramento Kings 109-108 on Monday night. Atlanta improved to 7-8 with the win, while the Kings fell to 8-7.
Daniels’ crucial defensive stop on De’Aaron Fox sealed a nail-biter after a back-and-forth fourth quarter. The 21-year-old added 14 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.
Clint Capela notched a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, including the Hawks’ final three points that secured the narrow victory.
Trae Young, despite scoring just seven points on 1-of-7 shooting, showcased his playmaking skills with 19 assists, one short of his career-high.
Atlanta shot 47% from the field and connected on 42.1% of their three-point attempts.
Sacramento, playing without stars Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk, relied on an incredible performance from Keon Ellis. The 24-year-old guard scored a career-high 33 points, including nine three-pointers, becoming just the fifth player in Kings franchise history to hit that many threes in a game.
The Kings took a slim 66-64 lead into halftime after recovering from a 22-6 deficit early in the first quarter. Ellis’ hot hand kept them competitive, making his first six three-point attempts in the first half.
Fox added 28 points and seven assists but was unable to convert in the final moments due to Daniels’ defensive brilliance.
Atlanta’s depth played a key role as Bogdan Bogdanovic returned from injury, scoring six points in 18 minutes in his first game since the season opener. Rookie Kobe Bufkin also made his season debut, contributing five points off the bench.
For Sacramento, Trey Lyles recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Doug McDermott added eight points off the bench. The Kings, however, struggled with turnovers, committing 17, and shot just 43.5% from the field.
