BS Report: March 17, 2026
Well, the Atlanta Hawks did it. 124 – 112 win on Monday night over the Orlando Magic. And any questions about whether or not the Hawks could beat a good and winning team were answered as they dominated that game. They were up by as many as 29 points, wound up winning by 12 only because they let up off the gas a little bit late in the game, but it was not really close.
Atlanta dominated Orlando and it’s a big deal because now the Hawks have an advantage over Orlando in the season series. They won all three games. So even if they lose the game in Orlando on April the 1st, Atlanta will have the advantage over the magic. If both teams finish with the same record, Atlanta would get the advantage in the playoffs seeding, which could be very important because Atlanta is only a game and a half out of fifth place now behind Toronto. A lot of games tonight that could mix this up a little bit, but Atlanta is really in good shape with about 15 games left to go. The Hawks had an unbelievable performance last night from Nickeil Alexander-Walker 41 points. He dominated that game and this is a player who came over last summer via free agency from Minnesota. He didn’t even average ten points per game last year as a reserve for the Timberwolves came to Atlanta, kind of expecting the same role to be the main reserve for the guards Trae Young and Dyson Daniels.
Well, Trae Young got hurt and he got traded. And Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been able to get more playing time and has thrived in the starting role. And he’s probably going to be the most improved player in the NBA with his performance of course. Also last night Jaylen Johnson did it again a triple double his 13th triple double of the season. He is second behind the Joker out in Denver for triple doubles, which of course means that you get double digits in points rebounds and assists. He was incredible last night 24 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists. You know all the great players the Hawks have had over the 60 year history of their franchise Dominique Wilkins, Trey Young, Steve Smith, the make Mutombo. They’ve never had a guy who can do triple doubles like this. But we’re seeing the start of a career here that’s taking off before our eyes. He was an all star this year. It’s not the last time he’s going to be an All-Star, and he’s probably going to be an MVP candidate. He may get some votes this year, but he’s probably going to be an MVP candidate moving forward.
But the Hawks have been incredible. They are six games over 500 now for the first time since the end of the 2020 2021 season. They’re 19 and ten since trading Trae Young, which is incredible to see how they’ve done without Trae Young. And we’ve got to remember this winning streak. I mean the last time they had this winning streak they had Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Kent Bazemore, Paul Millsap, and Al Horford in the starting lineup.
This is a much different team. And this team is coming together before our eyes. So they’ve got a couple of weeks left in the season now. A lot of big games. Nine of the opponents they’ll play have a winning record. So we’ll see how they do is they continue on here. They have a big game later in the week with Houston on the road, which is going to be a big task. The rockets are very good, but their next game is they go for win. Number 11 in a row will be on Wednesday in Dallas against the Mavericks.
