Hawks Enjoy Each Other On And Off The Court

 

Atlanta, Ga – The Atlanta Hawks bounced back after a flat performance on Monday against the Boston Celtics and get a much needed win against the New York Knicks. What stood out the most in the win was the morale of the team.

Having a 4-5 record, some might look at that as disappointing but with all of the injuries the Hawks are dealing with, it shows the trust within each other throughout the team is paying off.

Head coach Quinn Snyder has been more proud of how the team has stuck together and fought through this stretch as a unit.

“I think this team has been hit with a lot injuries, the goal is to keep our spirit,” stated Snyder. “That’s something that we have to do throughout the course of the year, whatever the adversity is, whether injuries, losses, bad luck.

We talk about competitive endurance. You look at that with the team and how we are reacting and that’s something as a coach you’re aware of and take a pulse of.”

The one player who has benefitted the most from the morale has been rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The rookie has been trying to find his way offensively and has struggled until his breakout game against the Knicks.

Risacher had a career high 33 points on a 11-18 shooting, seven rebounds and three assist. His teammates constantly cheered and celebrated for him throughout the game and afterwards.

“It was great. I was super excited and they were super excited too,” stated Risacher. “It made me super happy to see how people react to me being good. I felt the love, the good vibes and energy of all my teammates.

It’s basically like this from day one. They always try to make sure I’m good on the court and off the court. I’m really happy to have them.”

This bond inside the locker room has transferred onto the court, which is why you see them competing and hanging around in games.

Trae Young is the team’s most tenured player on the roster. Playing on the 2020-21 team, which made a run into the Eastern Conference Finals, has been the most close-nit team he’s played on until this season.

Young understands that having confidence in each other will only boost the team’s camaraderie on an off the court.

“I feel like everybody in here believe in me and trust me and I believe in everybody in this locker room from top to bottom,” said Young.

The Hawks should be getting healthier soon but as for now, players like Dyson Daniels, Garrison Matthews, David Roddy and Keaton Wallace will all get extended playing time. By building morale within the team, this should and will help continuity, which should lead to more results like the victory over the Knicks.