Sep 28, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws a pass for a touchdown against the Louisville Cardinals in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images Yet the Suns are three games below .500 as they host the Atlanta Hawks. At some point, Phoenix needs to figure out why it’s not having better results.
The Charlotte Hornets are scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. A foolproof prediction? The game will be postponed. Why waste game-night services on NBA players during a horrific wildfire crisis?
In addition to the Hawks-Suns game, we will look at the Notre Dame-Penn State football semifinal playoff game and the NHL contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes.
ATLANTA HAWKS AT PHOENIX SUNS
Booker (39) and Durant (26) combined for 65 points on Tuesday, but the Suns still fell 115-104 to the host Charlotte Hornets, a team that had lost 18 of its previous 19 games. Phoenix was outrebounded 59-42, so apparently demoting big man Jusuf Nurkic to a reserve role isn’t working either.
The organization also has demoted Beal (10 points vs. Charlotte) and would reportedly like to trade him. Beal, though, has a no-trade clause and isn’t on board. “If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” Beal said.
The Hawks are looking to gain a split of a six-game road trip after a miraculous 124-121 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Trae Young launched a shot from just beyond midcourt that swished through the net as time expired to cap his 24-point outing.
Young is averaging 22.6 points while two teammates are also pushing 20—Jalen Johnson (19.8) and reserve De’Andre Hunter (19.7). Riding with Atlana seems to be a good idea with Phoenix continuing to sputter.
Hawks +6.5 spread, -112 (DraftKings)
