PORTLAND, Ore. – It’s been a season of dealing with circumstances for seldom-used Hawks rookie Tyler Dorsey.
But Friday night stoked the old feelings of glory he once had not too far from the Moda Center, getting to play in his “second home,” in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was a rough night for the Hawks, losing by 21 points and trailing by as many as 25. But former Oregon Duck saw some action towards the end for just the 12th time in 39 games. It wasn’t something the young rookie took for granted.
“It felt good to be back here, It’s my second home,” Dorsey said. “ I was here for two years and I know my surroundings really well around here. It was good to be back. It was a short stay though. And Oregon was playing tonight, I didn’t get to see them. I heard they lost tonight. But it felt good to be back here for sure.”
It’s been a tough season for Dorsey who, despite the Hawks’ struggles, hasn’t seen much action.
“Obviously the circumstances are not easy, you got to do what you got to do when you’re number is called,” Dorsey said. “Any minutes, junk minutes, I’m taking it all and trying to use that opportunity. Just being patient and it’s a long season. Opportunity will come and when it does you got to be ready.”
Dorsey had 8 points in 10 minutes of action, which was the second-best scoring output of his young career.
“I thought Tyler Dorsey was good in his minutes, got some good looks, moved well,” Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer said.
Fifth year veteran Mike Muscala was happy to see Dorsey get out there.
“I think he came off some fresh plays and knocked down the shots. That’s cool to see, and it’s not easy to do that.”
Dorsey is taking it all in stride.
“I’m just staying patient and tonight I got some opportunities,” he said. “It was a good trip back to Oregon.”
