Hawks basketball was finally back in Atlanta, as the full team took the floor for the first time since mid-April when the New Orleans Pelicans came to town for the Hawks’ opening preseason contest. With 13 of the 20 players on the roster new to the club this season, Monday’s game was the first chance for many to see the 2018-19 Hawks.
With all the caveats that always apply to preseason play, the team looked as though they gelled quite well, especially on the offensive end of the floor. The final result saw the Hawks on the high side by a score of 116-102, though it must be mentioned that Atlanta’s run in the second half to take control of the game came largely against the Pelicans’ backup unit, as the visitors at McCamish Pavilion played 16 different players and gave the large majority of minutes in the final two quarters to their lower-level guys.