Hawks Rally From 17-Point Deficit to Beat Nets, 124–121

The Atlanta Hawks overcame an early 17-point deficit and held off a late Brooklyn rally to defeat the Nets, 124–121, on Saturday night. The win improved Atlanta’s record to 7–4 and extended its winning streak to four games. 

Brooklyn seized control early, racing to a 31–14 lead in the first quarter. Atlanta began chipping away, but the Nets maintained the advantage through much of the game. Brooklyn led 70–66 at halftime and 95–91 entering the fourth quarter.

The Hawks kept pressing in the final period. Nickeil Alexander-Walker tied the game at 114 with two free throws with 1:26 remaining, then converted the second free throw to give Atlanta its first lead of the night, 115–114. It was the Hawks’ only lead change of the game, and it came at a crucial moment. 

Alexander-Walker’s basket did not end the drama. The Hawks added to their advantage, but Brooklyn stayed close. Jalen Johnson scored on a driving layup with 38 seconds left and made the ensuing free throw, giving Atlanta a 120–114 lead.

The Nets continued to fight. Michael Porter Jr. made two free throws with five seconds remaining, cutting the margin to 123–117. He missed the third attempt, but Julius Randle grabbed the offensive rebound to give Brooklyn another chance.

After a timeout, Danny Wolf hit a three-pointer with about 1.5 seconds left, pulling the Nets within two. Atlanta called timeout, then Okongwu made one of two free throws to put the Hawks ahead 124–121. The Nets secured the rebound after the miss, but time expired before they could attempt another shot. 

Johnson led all scorers with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes. He shot 11-for-17 from the field and scored 12 points in the fourth quarter. It was his 14th career game with at least 30 points and his 13th with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists. Johnson returned after missing three games with a left ankle sprain. 

Alexander-Walker and Aaron Wiggins each scored 20 points. Alexander-Walker added three rebounds and one assist, while his late free throws put Atlanta in front for the first time. His double-digit scoring streak reached 61 consecutive games, a career best, according to the Hawks’ game notes.

Wiggins scored 20 points off the bench, made a season-high five three-pointers and added four rebounds and six assists. He also recorded his 500th career assist. The milestone made him the eighth player from the 2021 draft class to reach at least 3,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists and 400 made three-pointers, per the team notes.

Dyson Daniels contributed nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals. Through Atlanta’s first 11 games, he had totaled 108 points, 79 rebounds, 60 assists and 32 steals. The Hawks’ notes said Daniels was the first player since Scottie Pippen in 1994 to reach at least 100 points, 75 rebounds, 50 assists and 30 steals through his team’s first 11 games of a season.

Okongwu finished with 16 points, five assists, three blocks and two rebounds. His three blocks marked his 43rd career game with at least three rejections and his first such game this season. He entered the night with 416 career blocks, nine shy of tying Kevin Willis for 10th on the Hawks’ all-time list.

Atlanta’s work in the paint helped drive the comeback. The Hawks scored a season-high 70 points in the paint, while Brooklyn had 48. Atlanta also finished with 20 fast-break points to Brooklyn’s four. Through 11 games, the Hawks had recorded 347 assists and at least 30 assists in eight contests. 

Brooklyn had a triple-double from Day’Ron Sharpe, who finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists. It was the first triple-double of his career. Porter Jr. scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while rookie Nolan Traore added a season-high 19 points. 

The comeback extended Atlanta’s winning streak against Brooklyn to six games, including four straight at State Farm Arena, according to the Hawks’ notes. The Hawks now turn their attention to the Los Angeles Lakers. Atlanta is scheduled to host Los Angeles on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:00 p.m. ET.