Atlanta clinched its ticket to the NBA playoffs on Friday by beating Cleveland 107-101 in the decisive play-off.
But the Hawks had to compose during most of this meeting without Clint Capela, victim of a knee injury. The Geneva interior made a hyper-extension of the right knee at the very end of the first half by foul on Evan Mobley, who fell on his leg. He is due for an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of his injury.
The Hawks got away with it on Saturday without the Meyrinois, who had managed 7 points and 8 rebounds in 13 minutes spent on the Cleveland floor. But the Georgian franchise will have a hard time doing without its 2m08 when it comes to challenging the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference Miami in the first round of the playoffs (Act I on Sunday).
Young en patron
This twist of fate nevertheless gave extra soul to Atlanta, which was trailing by 10 points at halftime (61-51). “We were only more motivated. We wanted to win for him. We know how hard he worked all year to make the playoffs. We hope he will be able to recover soon.“, dropped Trae Young.
ats/bur
NBA, Play-In
Eastern Conference
BROOKLYN – Cleveland 115-108
Atlanta – Charlotte 132-103
Cleveland – ATLANTA 101-107
Capela / A: 7 pts (3 of 3 on shots), 8 rebounds, in 13’29”.
Western Conference
MINNESOTA – L.A. Clippers 109-104
L.A. Clippers- NEW ORLEANS 101-105
“Ice Brings” in leader
The Hawks point guard was the big man of the game with his 38 points, including 32 scored in the second half. “I felt like I was letting my team down. But I knew I had to insist on helping my teammates. I know what my job is, the trust that’s mine“, he commented. “Ice Trae” thus air-conditioned the Cleveland room and its white-hot fans. The Cavaliers led three-quarters of the game, counting up to 14 units ahead before the pause, before Atlanta took the lead for the first time just before the last quarter.
The Pelicans last qualified
The last ticket available for the playoffs returned to New Orleans, which also won its qualification outside. The Pelicans won the right to challenge Phoenix in the 1st round in the West by winning 105-101 on the floor of the LA Clippers. Led 87-74 with 10’51” remaining, Brandon Ingram (30 points) and his teammates forced the decision in “money time”.
