Atlanta, GA

Thunder Sharpshooter Leads the way in 104-99 Victory over Atlanta

Published

2 hours ago

October 18, 2024

Thunder Sharpshooter Leads the way in 104-99 Victory over Atlanta

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by sharpshooting bench guard Isaiah Joe, walked away with a 104-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, led by his 16-point performance.

Atlanta’s young guard, Kobe Bufkin, led the way for the Hawks, finishing with 31 points on 12-for-26 shooting. Though it was a preseason game, this was Bufkin’s career high, but the performance was not enough to result in a Hawks victory.

The Thunder got out to a hot start in the first quarter, taking a 19-9 lead with 5:40 to play. Big man Chet Holmgren totaled nine of those points by both hitting from the perimeter and getting to the free-throw line. Holmgren quieted down after his scoring spurt, finishing with 15 points all in the first half.

Triples from Atlanta guards Bufkin, Dyson Daniels and Garrison Matthews narrowed the score quickly in the opening period. Even with Bufkin increasing his scoring from the perimeter as the game progressed, the Hawks only drilled four to start. By the end of the quarter, Atlanta had gained the lead at 28-27, thanks to a paint bucket from center Onyeka Okongwu.

OKC re-gained a seven-point lead with 8:30 remaining in the second period when forward Aaron Wiggins went 1-for-2 at the free-throw line. Around two minutes later, dynamic forward Jalen Williams landed awkwardly on his ankle and was taken out of the game and did not return.

Both teams traded scores and by the half’s end, Atlanta held a 51-49 lead. OKC’s star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, failed to get going in the first half. He only finished with six points on 2-for-4 shooting and did not see the court again.

The Thunder brought out a lineup of multiple depth pieces to start the second half, featuring Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Joe, Dillon Jones and Ousmane Dieng. That lineup held its own in the quarter, with Dieng scoring six points within the first four minutes. Joe, one of OKC’s sharpshooters, also caught fire in the third quarter.

Joe scored 14 points in the quarter and kept the Thunder close. He hit four triples in the third as well, his second consecutive performance with four or more threes made and 14 or more points scored.

Joe’s third-quarter performance kept the Thunder around, trailing 79-77 at the end of the third quarter. It remained close throughout the fourth quarter and the fate of the game was going to be left in the hands of OKC’s depth pieces.

With the game winding down, a triple from rookie Dillon Jones and a dunk from Dieng landed the Thunder up five with 5:23 remaining. OKC played solid on-ball defense down the stretch, making life hard on Atlanta’s offense. The Hawks were relying on the multi-level scoring ability of Bufkin, but the Jones and the Thunder defense forced him into multiple shots. He still made some tough ones and continued to keep the Hawks in winning-distance.

A 1-for-2 free throw trip from Dieng with 35 seconds remaining in the game gave the Thunder a 100-94 lead. Bufkin and guard Kevon Harris drilled two shots with under 30 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a reason to continue fouling, but they continued to send Dieng to the free-throw line and he continued to make them. He finished with 15 total points, five of which came from the stripe.

After closing out its preseason with a win, OKC kicks off its regular season at 9 p.m. CDT on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Ball Arena in a road test against the Denver Nuggets. OKC defeated the Nuggets in its fourth preseason game in blowout fashion, winning 124-94.

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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta woman raising awareness on suicide prevention advocate after losing love of her life

Published

10 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Press Room

Atlanta woman raising awareness on suicide prevention advocate after losing love of her life

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – After losing her wife to suicide, an Atlanta woman is speaking out, sharing messages of hope with the community.

Ellen Marks said she didn’t see any major signs that her wife, Monica, was struggling as much as she was.

“We got married in 2012. So we were together 30 years and married for 12 years before she passed away,” said Marks.

There are some losses that cut so deep all you can do is count.

“September 30, 2021, three years and 10 days,” said Marks, “She was perfect for me. I think we were perfect for each other.”

Sept. 30 is the day Marks lost the love of her life.

“I absolutely had no idea that it was anything on the caliber of suicidal ideation,” said Marks.

Monica died of suicide. She was 57 years old.

“I can’t stand it. I can’t stand it. The love of my life is gone,” said Marks.

Marks said she does what she can to honor Monica. One of the ways she does that is through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk in Atlanta.

“I use the walk and we gather before the event for a big opening ceremony and I talk to people about it,” said Marks.

Losing her wife is a heartbreak Marks will be navigating the rest of her life. There are things she wishes she could’ve said if she had known how much her wife was struggling that she now tells the community: you do not have to suffer in silence and you are not alone.

If you are struggling and need help, call 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.

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Atlanta, GA

Wellstar announces redevelopment plans for former Atlanta Medical Center site

Published

18 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Press Room

Wellstar announces redevelopment plans for former Atlanta Medical Center site

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Redevelopment plans are in the works for the site of the former Atlanta Medical Center — plans Wellstar Health System says will bring a “thriving, healthy addition” to Old Fourth Ward.

Redevelopment plans for the 22-acre campus include “a vibrant, diverse mixed-use neighborhood with affordable housing, residential properties, community and public green space, neighborhood-level retail, new street access, commercial uses, and health and well-being resources,” Wellstar officials said in a news release.

Wellstar said the health and wellbeing resources that will be offered will be “determined in collaboration with community stakeholders as part of Integral’s comprehensive planning process and will include an in-depth analysis of the area’s healthcare needs.”

Atlanta Medical Center closed in November 2022. Wellstar said then the closure was because of money problems.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Atlanta Medical Center closes in downtown Atlanta

The City of Atlanta had placed a zoning moratorium on the property in 2022, which expired on Tuesday.

Wellstar said the revitalization will happen in phases over the next several years. The Integral Group, which is based in Atlanta, will lead the redevelopment.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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Atlanta, GA

Opinion: Notre Dame Should Shine Traveling to Face Georgia Tech in Atlanta

Published

1 day ago

October 17, 2024

Press Room

Opinion: Notre Dame Should Shine Traveling to Face Georgia Tech in Atlanta

Irish head to Atlanta for massive matchup with Yellow Jackets

Notre Dame heads to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday to square off with the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets. This means that for the first time since August’s trip to steamy College Station, the Irish will be leaving the state of Indiana.

Aside from the epic late summer battle against the Aggies, Notre Dame’s only other road battle was just up the toll road against Purdue in West Lafayette. I feel that this game being in an NFL venue in a major city like Atlanta will help Notre Dame and if I were a Georgia Tech fan I’d have much preferred this game to be played on campus.

Going to the game-GO IRISH!!!!
— Kyleen Davis (@DavisKyleen) October 14, 2024

Notre Dame is playing with confidence, perfectly timed for this trip

Notre Dame has won four games in a row and the offense is seeing weekly incremental improvement to match a defense that plays winning football every week as a top 10 unit. This is a perfect time to hit the road in a venue that will not be overly hostile towards the Irish.

Additionally, Notre Dame hasn’t always played the crispest ball at home this year. This feels like a spot where the players look forward to a change of scenery, white jerseys, and “shamrock series” type of environment of which the Irish are very accustomed to navigating successfully.

In terms of road game venues Notre Dame could possibly have on the schedule, this is likely to be one of the most favorable ones there could ever be. I expect the Irish to take full advantage and try to show out in the A.

For more Irish news & notes follow John on Twitter @alwaysirishINC, Always Irish on Youtube and or your preferred audio podcast provider.