Hawks Fly Past Lakers for 20-Point Win, 122–102

The Atlanta Hawks rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers, 122–102, on Saturday night at State Farm Arena, earning their largest home win over the Lakers in more than five decades. The 20-point victory marked Atlanta’s second win by 20 or more this season and their biggest against Los Angeles at home since a 27-point win back on Oct. 11, 1973.

The Hawks were sharp from start to finish, shooting 51.1% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc — their second time this season posting a 50/40 split. The offensive rhythm was powered by exceptional ball movement, as Atlanta dished out a season-high 37 assists, including 30 through the first three quarters — the first time they’ve reached that mark so early in a game this season.

Seven Hawks scored in double figures, and Atlanta improved to 2–0 when at least seven players reach 10 or more points.

Zaccharie Risacher led the balanced attack with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, adding four assists and two steals. With his first assist of the game, Risacher recorded his 100th career helper, joining Josh Smith and Marvin Williams as the only Hawks to reach 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, 100 assists, 50 steals, and 40 blocks before turning 21.

Second-year forward Mouhamed Gueye posted a career night, scoring a personal-best 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. He added seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and a block in 34 minutes. Gueye caught fire early, pouring in 11 points in the first quarter — the most in a single period in his young career.

Rookie Asa Newell provided another strong spark off the bench, tallying a career-high 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting along with five rebounds, four steals, and a block. His four steals, all coming in the first half, tied for the most by a rookie in a single game this season and set a new league mark for most in a half by a first-year player.

Dyson Daniels continued his historic defensive streak, logging a steal in his 62nd straight game — breaking Doc Rivers’ franchise record for the longest streak in Hawks history. The third-year guard also climbed up the NBA record books, now owning the eighth-longest streak in league history and sitting one game shy of tying Gary Payton for seventh. Daniels paired his defensive milestone with a career-high 13 assists, 10 points, and eight rebounds — good for his third career points-assists double-double.

Onyeka Okongwu filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks, while Vit Krejci added a season-high 17 points off the bench.

Atlanta’s defensive energy matched its offensive precision, forcing 20 Lakers turnovers that led to 36 points. The Hawks dominated the paint 62–46 and outpaced Los Angeles in fast break points, 22–8.

The Lakers, missing LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and others due to injury, were led by Luka Dončić, who finished with 22 points, 11 assists, and five rebounds.

With the win, the Hawks improved to 5–5 on the season and have now won four of their last five home meetings with the Lakers. Atlanta led by as many as 30 points and controlled the game throughout, taking a 98–72 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Hawks will look to keep the momentum rolling as they hit the road next week to face the Los Angeles Clippers on November 10.