Lou Williams had himself an evening in Atlanta’s 110-88 Sport 4 win over the Bucks on Tuesday.
Williams, who often comes off the bench for the Hawks, as a substitute began in Trae Younger’s place after Atlanta’s star guard suffered a bone bruise on his proper foot in Sport 3 — and Williams delivered in his first profession playoff begin
After being traded from the Clippers just some months in the past — when he thought of retirement — Williams match proper in with the Hawks’ beginning lineup and method to Sport 4 with out Younger.
Williams recorded 21 factors on 7 of 9 capturing to go along with eight assists — a profession playoff excessive — 5 rebounds and just one turnover in 35 minutes.
The three-time Sixth Man of the 12 months impressed on each ends of the ground, and exploited Milwaukee’s drop protection. Williams was a pressure off the pick-and-roll, flattening quite a lot of photographs, in addition to making performs and dishing the ball to the Atlanta bigs.
The Hawks had been down by 10 when Bucks famous person Giannis Antetokounmpo went down after hyperextending his left knee late within the third quarter.
Atlanta, which commanded the tempo for many of the sport because of Williams, instantly set the tempo after Antetokounmpo’s harm, happening a 25-8 run to ultimately even the sequence.
After Atlanta’s Sport 4 win, Williams credited shifting his mindset to filling Younger’s sneakers.
“I simply needed to refocus my vitality, placed on a distinct hat, and prepare for the sport,” he mentioned.
Williams additionally spoke about his staff’s confidence being two wins away from the NBA Finals.
“One factor that’s been regular with this staff since I’ve been right here, this staff has at all times been assured of their skills,” he informed reporters after Sport 4.
“We’ve earned the best to be right here… Did I look forward and say, ‘You understand we an be championship contender day one.’ Most likely not. However we’re two wins away like everyone else and we be ok with it.”
Williams additionally informed reporters he realized he would begin in Younger’s absence whereas on the coaching desk, moments earlier than the sport. Younger was listed as questionable hours earlier than Sport 4.
Younger’s standing is up within the air for Sport 5 on Thursday in Milwaukee. If he’s unable to go, the Hawks have a stable alternative in Williams.
