The Hawks failed to end their losing streak Friday night and it was extended to four with their loss to the Kings. The Hawks didn’t play particularly well for most of the game, but they put together a late rally to try to pull out a win against one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

After falling to 2-4, what are the main lessons from this match?

1. Keaton Wallace plays very well

I thought the way Keaton Wallace played was the best thing to come out of tonight’s game. Wallace was thrust into an important role due to the Hawks missing many players, but he responded well. He scored 14 points on 4-8 shooting from three and also played very good defense. The Hawks had him in the final roster and I think he even makes a case to be the starter if Dyson Daniels continues to miss time. Wallace has been a bright spot for the Hawks in what has been a difficult stretch for the team.

2. The Hawks just can’t play defense right now

The Hawks weren’t an elite defensive unit before getting hurt, but they were better than that. Atlanta’s defense, especially on the perimeter, just won’t be passable and they may have to lean on their offense until they get their guys back.

3. Garrison Matthews was great

The Hawks have struggled with floor spacing and three-point shooting in some games this year, but Garrison Matthews was good and had his best game of the season against the Kings. Matthews was 7-13 from three-point range in the game and scored 23 points. Matthews is one of the best shooters in the NBA and played like it against the Kings.

4. Zacharie Risacher really struggled

Risacher does a lot of little things well for a rookie, but last night was a game he’s going to want to forget. He scored the first basket of the game, but finished 1-9 from the floor and was a team-worst -25 from the field. Even though he had some tough offensive games this year, he found a way to make up for it by defending well and doing the little things. It wasn’t tonight and Risacher didn’t even play in the fourth quarter. There are better days ahead for the young rookie, but he is going through a rough time shooting and had a tough game against the Kings.