Hawks Fall to Mavericks Despite Standout Performances, 119-129

The Atlanta Hawks fell to the Dallas Mavericks, 119-129, on Monday night in a game that showcased strong individual performances and special moments honoring franchise legend Dikembe Mutombo.

Fly City Edition Uniforms and Mutombo Tribute

Making their debut in the Fly City Edition Uniform 2.0, the Hawks added an extra layer of meaning to the night by unveiling a new court decal honoring Dikembe Mutombo, whose No. 55 jersey was retired by the franchise in 2015.

The tribute extended beyond the court design. During pregame warmups, Hawks players wore special shooting shirts, and Mutombo’s iconic “No, No, No” taunt returned in full force. Each time Hawks players blocked a shot, the arena erupted with audio of his legendary phrase. Mutombo, who ranks second all-time in NBA history with 3,289 blocked shots, left an indelible mark on the sport, and the team made sure his legacy was felt throughout the game.

At halftime, the Hawks debuted a retrospective video celebrating Mutombo’s profound impact both on and off the court, shown on the arena’s scoreboard. The Mutombo family was also honored during the evening, further cementing the franchise’s appreciation for the Hall of Famer’s contributions to the game and the Atlanta community.

Teamwork Shines Amid Defeat

The Hawks showcased their unselfish play despite the loss, dishing out 32 assists—their NBA-best 10th game this season with 30+ assists. The performance tied a franchise record with 10 consecutive games of 25+ assists, matching streaks from the early 1960s.

Defensively, Atlanta recorded 10 steals, tying for the most 10+ steal games in the NBA this season. The Hawks’ dominance inside the paint was also on display, outscoring Dallas 76-50, marking their second straight game with 70+ points in the paint—a rare achievement this season.

Jalen Johnson’s Career Night

Jalen Johnson delivered a career-high 28 points on 12-of-20 shooting (.600 FG%) while leading all players with 11 rebounds. Adding three assists, a block, and three steals, Johnson posted his third consecutive double-double and has emerged as a key piece of Atlanta’s young core.

Dyson Daniels’ Two-Way Contributions

Dyson Daniels was a force on both ends, tallying 17 points, two blocks, and two steals. Daniels now has 50 steals in his first 16 games this season, second in franchise history to only Doc Rivers. His offensive growth was evident as well, extending his streak of games with a made three-pointer to seven—a career-high.

Trae Young’s Leadership

Trae Young continued his exceptional playmaking with 18 points and 16 assists, marking his 216th career point/assist double-double. Leading the NBA in assists this season, Young became the first player to surpass 200 assists, further extending his streak of 178 games with 5+ assists—the third-longest in NBA history.

Bogdan Bogdanovic’s Bench Boost

Bogdan Bogdanovic added 18 points off the bench, shooting 8-of-15 from the field while extending his streak of games with at least one three-pointer to 95. The streak ties him with Klay Thompson for the sixth-longest in NBA history.

Mavericks’ Key Contributions

The Mavericks were led by Kyrie Irving, who scored a game-high 32 points, including six three-pointers. P.J. Washington chipped in with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds while contributing three blocks and a steal.

Looking Forward

Though the loss stings, Atlanta’s performance reflects their potential and resilience. With standout contributions across the board, the Hawks have plenty to build on as they prepare for a Thanksgiving Eve matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 27.

Hope is far from lost, as this Hawks squad continues to develop into a well-rounded team. With their tribute to Mutombo and continued growth on the court, the Hawks are honoring their storied past while building toward a promising future.