When forwards develop a reliable hook shot, defenses have to respect every paint touch. Early in the second quarter against the Bucks, Atlanta's Asa Newell caught a pass from Luke Kennard and immediately went to work. The rookie forward drove hard into the paint, shielded his defender with his off-arm, and floated in a textbook hook from six feet out to cut into the deficit. Newell tallied 6 points on an efficient 3-for-5 shooting in limited minutes during the January 19, 2026 contest. · Jan 19, 2026