Historic Fourth-Quarter Comeback Propels Hawks to 141-133 Win Over Bulls

The Atlanta Hawks delivered one of their most thrilling victories of the season, defeating the Chicago Bulls 141-133 after overcoming a 21-point deficit. Trailing by 16 points with just 5:31 left in regulation, the Hawks mounted a historic comeback, marking the first time since April 9, 2017, that the team erased a 16-point-or-more deficit in the final minutes of a game, per Elias Sports Bureau.

Historic Fourth-Quarter Performance

Atlanta’s fourth-quarter performance was nothing short of legendary. The team erupted for 50 points, setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a final quarter. The previous record of 48 had stood for decades, last achieved on April 15, 1997, against New Jersey. The Hawks also became the first team in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) to score at least 50 points in the fourth quarter while committing just one turnover.

This explosive final period saw Atlanta outscore Chicago by 25 points, a feat the team last accomplished on February 12, 2021, against San Antonio.

Balanced Attack and Record-Setting Performances

Six Hawks scored in double figures in the victory, led by a career night from Jalen Johnson. The 6’9” forward recorded his 17th double-double of the season, pouring in a career-high 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out four assists. Johnson also secured his first career double-double in a single half, tallying 13 points and 10 rebounds before halftime.

Trae Young continued his dominance, finishing with 27 points, a game-high 13 assists, and two steals. Young’s performance solidified his place in NBA history, surpassing Tim Hardaway and Kevin Johnson for ninth all-time in 20-point, 10-assist games with 171. At just 26 years and 98 days old, Young also became the second-youngest player in NBA history to reach 11,000 points and 4,000 assists, trailing only LeBron James.

De’Andre Hunter came off the bench to score 25 points, hitting all 10 of his free throws while adding six rebounds, one assist, and one block. Hunter extended his streak of scoring 15+ points as a reserve to 13 games, setting a franchise record and the longest such streak in the NBA since Tyler Herro’s 16-game stretch in 2021-22.

Dyson Daniels and rookie Zaccharie Risacher also made significant contributions. Daniels scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep, while adding seven rebounds and four assists. Risacher chipped in 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, tying for the most 10+ point games this season among members of the 2024 NBA Draft class.

Playmaking Excellence

The Hawks’ ball movement was exceptional, dishing out 32 assists for the game. This marked their 16th game of the season with 30 or more assists, the most in the Eastern Conference and tied for second-most in the league. Additionally, the Hawks extended their streak of recording 20+ assists at State Farm Arena to 65 consecutive games, the third-longest in franchise history.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, Atlanta showcased their resilience and offensive firepower, proving they can compete with any team in the league. The Hawks will aim to carry this momentum into their final game of the homestand when they host the Miami Heat on Saturday at State Farm Arena. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.