Hawks Close Strong Behind Fourth-Quarter Surge, Hold Off Magic

The game felt chaotic, physical, and at times downright messy. But when it mattered most, the Atlanta Hawks found just enough rhythm late in the fourth quarter to separate and secure a 130-101 win over the Orlando Magic.

It wasn’t always pretty.

Through stretches of the second half, both teams traded empty possessions, missed opportunities, and turnovers that stalled momentum. But Atlanta’s depth — and timely execution — ultimately told the story.

The fourth quarter opened with tension still lingering. Jalen Johnson continued to assert himself, attacking the paint and creating second-chance opportunities. His pull-up jumper early in the period helped steady Atlanta after Orlando threatened to chip away.

Meanwhile, Jase Richardson tried to keep the Magic within reach, getting to the line and converting in key moments. But missed free throws and costly turnovers limited Orlando’s ability to truly close the gap.

Atlanta began to create separation midway through the quarter.

A transition three from Caleb Houstan briefly gave Orlando life, but the Hawks answered quickly. Defensive pressure from Keaton Wallace sparked a turnover, leading to transition opportunities that Atlanta didn’t waste.

From there, the Hawks leaned into their versatility.

Zaccharie Risacher made his presence felt on both ends, securing rebounds and knocking down a tough turnaround jumper. Onyeka Okongwu protected the rim with multiple blocks, while Dyson Daniels contributed across the stat sheet with defense and playmaking.

The defining stretch came late.

Second-chance points and free throws began to pile up for Atlanta. Asa Newell delivered a putback dunk, and moments later, Jamal Cain calmly knocked down free throws to push the lead even further out of reach.

Orlando’s frustrations boiled over in a sequence that included a flagrant foul and an ejection of Goga Bitadze, effectively sealing any remaining hope of a comeback.

From there, it was all Hawks.

Atlanta closed the game on a decisive run, capitalizing on rebounds, defensive stops, and Orlando miscues. By the final minute, the outcome was no longer in doubt as the Hawks pushed the margin to nearly 30.

In a game that featured its share of disjointed moments, Atlanta’s ability to stay composed — and capitalize late — made the difference.

Sometimes it’s not about how clean the game looks.

It’s about who finishes it.

Up Next: Atlanta continues its road trip Friday, April 3 with a matchup against the Brooklyn Nets before returning home Monday, April 6 to host the New York Knicks.