NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 things we learned from Wizards beating Hawks

By John Buhler | Apr 29, 2017

Apr 28, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) celebrates a play in the closing minutes of their game against the Atlanta Hawks in game six of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 5

Apr 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Atlanta has clearly won the three-team deal with Indiana and Utah

This past summer, Atlanta made a blockbuster trade that really shook up its corps. Atlanta shipped former All-Star point guard Jeff Teague to his hometown Indiana Pacers in a three-team deal involving former Pacers point guard George Hill, the Utah Jazz and the No. 12 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

That No. 12 pick went Atlanta’s way while Hill went to Salt Lake City to start at the point for Quin Snyder’s Jazz. Atlanta used that No. 12 pick on former Baylor Bears small forward Taurean Prince. While it looked like Atlanta clearly overdrafted to have Utah take Prince for them, that has proven to be one of the best picks made in a terrible 2016 NBA Draft.

Prince started at small forward in all six games of the Hawks’ first-round series with Washington. He didn’t look like a rookie until maybe Game 6. Prince played with the poise of a veteran that has played in several meaningful playoff series out on the wing. He made plays on both ends of the floor and gives Atlanta a great building block at small forward going forward.

It was bold to essentially trade up to draft Prince out of Baylor at No. 12. Starting him in all six games of the first-round playoff series was even bolder. There may not be a rookie in the NBA that will have gained more from his first professional campaign than did Prince by playing in a highly contested first-round series. He had a bit of a coming out party in the first round. Not only did Atlanta take notice, but so did the rest of the NBA.

Home/Atlanta Hawks