The Atlanta Hawks secured a thrilling last-second victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in a game filled with suspense and excitement. Caris LeVert emerged as the hero of the night, sinking a clutch layup as time expired to give the Hawks a 132-130 win on Monday. LeVert showcased his skills throughout the game, finishing with an impressive 25 points, including 16 crucial points in the fourth quarter.
Memphis’s Desmond Bane put on a stellar performance, achieving his first career triple-double with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. However, Dyson Daniels of the Hawks made a game-changing steal from Bane in the final seconds, setting the stage for LeVert’s game-winning basket.
Zaccharie Risacher led the scoring for Atlanta with 27 points, supported by Onyeka Okongwu’s double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Trae Young’s 12 points and 15 assists.
Despite missing key players like Santi Aldama and Ja Morant due to injuries, Memphis suffered another blow early in the game when Jaren Jackson Jr. went down with an ankle injury. The loss of Jackson added to the challenges faced by the Grizzlies, who have been struggling with a recent downturn, losing six of their last eight games.
The victory was a significant boost for the Hawks as they strive to secure a spot in the playoffs, currently occupying the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a comfortable 5 1/2-game lead over the 10th-placed team.
LeVert’s game-winning shot marked the third consecutive defeat for Memphis in games where the opposing team scored crucial baskets in the closing moments. The Grizzlies had previously suffered similar losses to the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
A notable statistic from the game was the Hawks’ season-high 82 points scored in the paint, showcasing their dominance inside.
Looking ahead, Atlanta is set to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, while Memphis will conclude their five-game homestand by hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
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