The Atlanta Hawks got their 2022-23 season started off right with a 117-107 win at home in State Farm Arena against the Houston Rockets, and the Dejounte Murray effect was in full display in game one.
Murray finished the game with 20 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 1 block, and 0 turnovers. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray combined for 24 assists and only 3 turnovers, and that helped four Hawks find themselves with 20+ points at the end of the game, and if Murray’s numbers don’t give you an idea already he was a defensive spark for the Hawks as well.
However, the numbers weren’t all pretty for the Atlanta Hawks in their season opener, in fact if you didn’t watch the game and just looked at the box score you would think the only way the Hawks would have won the game is because of a 40 or 50 point effort from Trae Young, and last year that probably would’ve have to have been the case, but with Dejounte Murray the Atlanta Hawks don’t necessarily have to be their best offensively every night to win, and Jon Chuckery explained why Wednesday night on The Jon Chuckery Show.
The Atlanta Hawks only shot 28% from three, got out rebounded by the Rockets 54-38, and still won the game by double-digits, but if this was last year’s Hawks team there’s a good chance they would have lost this game without a herculean effort from Trae Young. However, now that the Hawks have another All-Star in the backcourt that won’t be the case anymore. Jon Chuckery says “He’s a difference maker, and this team looks different. They would not have won by ten last year shooting 28% when Trae went 1-9 in a game from three and got out rebounded. They wouldn’t have won a game like that last year. It’s a different team. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch”
The defensive intensity that Dejounte Murray brings night in and night out will be infectious on the entire team, and instead of having to out shoot teams this season the Atlanta Hawks will be able to grind out wins with their defense even if their offense is struggling, and Dejounte Murray is going to be a big part of that this season. Yes, the Atlanta Hawks just beat the Rockets on opening night and it may not be the most impressive win in the world, but it’s the way the Hawks beat the Rockets that just should have all Atlanta Hawks fans excited for the 2022-23 season.