Blue Devil Country

Young Duke basketball product spreads wings again for Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks' two Duke basketball talents drew starts on Friday night.

Matt Giles

Young Duke basketball product spreads wings again for Hawks
Young Duke basketball product spreads wings again for Hawks /
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Atlanta Hawks rookie forward AJ Griffin has posted double-digit scoring totals in six of his past eight games. That includes the recent Duke basketball one-and-done's 24 points, tying his career-high, in his shorthanded team's 117-109 home win over the Denver Nuggets (14-8) on Friday night.

RELATED: Former Duke wing earns first career start for the Hawks

It was Griffin's second start as a professional. The 19-year-old, who went No. 16 overall at the NBA Draft and is the third-youngest player in the league, added three rebounds, one assist, and three steals across his 35 minutes against the Nuggets while shooting 11-for-16 from the field, including his 2-for-5 clip from downtown.

Now, AJ Griffin is approaching a double-digit scoring average with his 9.6 points per game, shooting 49.3 percent from the field, 38.2 percent beyond the arc, and 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. The former five-star recruit from New York is also averaging 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

And he's done all of the above in only 18.7 minutes per game.

The other NBA Blue Devil on the Atlanta Hawks roster, second-year forward Jalen Johnson, drew the first start of his career on Friday night. He finished with 10 points and 10 boards in his 33 minutes of action, marking the 20-year-old's first double-double in the league.

RELATED: List of every Blue Devil currently in the NBA

Atlanta (13-10) hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder (9-13) at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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