Hawks Clinch Playoff Berth with Dominant Win Over Cavaliers

The Atlanta Hawks are officially back in the playoffs—and this time, there’s no Play-In required.

Behind a complete team performance, the Hawks rolled past the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-102 on Friday night at State Farm Arena, clinching a guaranteed top-six seed in the Eastern Conference and securing their first direct playoff berth since 2021.

In a game that carried postseason implications, Atlanta delivered one of its most balanced and decisive performances of the season, leading by as many as 36 points and never trailing after the early minutes of the first quarter.

Fast Start, Strong Finish

The Hawks set the tone early, closing the first quarter on a run to take a 27-22 lead. From there, they steadily created separation. A 34-point second quarter gave Atlanta a 61-48 halftime advantage, fueled by efficient shooting and active defense.

The third quarter turned the game into a rout.

Atlanta outscored Cleveland 35-17 in the period, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. By the end of the quarter, the Hawks held a commanding 96-65 lead, effectively putting the game out of reach.

CJ McCollum Leads the Way

CJ McCollum delivered a standout performance, leading all scorers with 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including six three-pointers. He set the offensive tone early and never let Cleveland find a rhythm defensively.

Jalen Johnson added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker chipped in 18 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc.

But the engine behind it all was Dyson Daniels, who orchestrated the offense with a near triple-double: 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. His activity on both ends helped Atlanta control the pace from start to finish.

The Hawks finished with 27 assists on 45 made field goals and forced 19 Cleveland turnovers, turning them into 22 points.

Cavaliers Shorthanded, Overwhelmed

Cleveland, playing without key contributors including Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, struggled to keep up.

James Harden led the Cavaliers with 20 points and five assists, while Jaylon Tyson added 15. However, Cleveland shot just 25.9% from three-point range and committed 19 turnovers, issues that proved costly against Atlanta’s aggressive defense.

Statement Win with Bigger Meaning

Beyond the lopsided scoreline, the victory carries significant weight for Atlanta.

After spending the past several seasons navigating the Play-In Tournament, the Hawks have secured a top-six finish outright, avoiding the extra pressure and uncertainty of the league’s expanded postseason format.

Friday night wasn’t just a win—it was a statement.

Atlanta looked like a team ready for playoff basketball: efficient, connected, and confident. And with one regular-season game remaining, the Hawks now turn their focus to postseason positioning—knowing they’ve already taken care of the most important step