Hawks Notes: Quin Snyder, Saddiq Bey, Playoff Push

The Hawks played their first game with Quin Snyder as coach and it didn’t turn out as hoped, losing to the visiting Wizards by a 119-116 count.

“I’m still getting to know the team,” Snyder told reporters. “You saw some of that tonight.”

Snyder, 56, spent eight seasons with the Jazz before stepping down for more time with his family. He said the challenge and upside of the Atlanta job lured him back.

“We’ll continue to build on it, work on it,” he said.

• The Hawks wrap up a five-game homestand Friday vs. the Trail Blazers. Atlanta has not played a road game in almost a full month (Feb. 13).
• Snyder will have his work cut out to get the Hawks out of the play-in tournament for the second straight year. They’re currently in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
• The Hawks seem to be relying heavily on small forward Saddiq Bey quite a bit these days, wrote Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, as Snyder used him to close out the game. Bey was acquired from the Pistons at the trade deadline.
• Snyder’s success will hinge on building relationships with the players, particularly star guard Trae Young, wrote Jeff Schultz of The Athletic. Snyder was regarded as a players’ coach in his run with the Jazz. 

Snyder and Trae walk through the tunnel arm in arm after Game 1. pic.twitter.com/Qa1NBnha0g

— Kevin Chouinard (@KLChouinard) March 1, 2023