Well, to tell you the truth, I never thought I would be saying the Hawks face an elimination game in game six of the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, but I am. If memory serves correct, I wrote a story at the beginning of the season (see Hawks Building a Team to Last) stating I think that this Hawks team could be special. But I thought that would come under Coach Lloyd Pierce, not Nate McMillan. No matter the head coach, this team is good and still has room to grow.
Game five in Milwaukee wasn’t a good night for the Hawks in the 112-123 loss, but it was a lot closer than I thought it would be. In the first half the Bucks grew a 20-point lead, but the Hawks fought back, but didn’t have the edge with starting point guard Trae Young still sidelined with a bone bruise in his left foot. With the loss, the Bucks have the edge in the series with a 3-2 lead in the best four out of seven. Game six is slated to be this Saturday, July 3 at 8:30pm EST in Atlanta.
Hawks win game six, the season will head back to Milwaukee for elimination game seven for both teams. The winner of this series will face the Western Conference Champions the Phoenix Suns. The Suns eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers four games to two.
If last night’s game was an elimination game, I believe Young would have played, but a couple more days rest and next game in Atlanta I believe he will be ready to suit up.
Guard Lou Williams did a great job in Young’s absence in game four, but as professionals do, they adjust and the Bucks were ready for Williams in game five.
No matter the outcome of game six, or game seven if Hawks lose game seven, I am proud of this team. When no one gave this team a chance, not even the national media, which never does, the city gave this team a chance and the team responded…win or lose!!!
Feature Image courtesy of Atlanta Hawks
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