Hawks Drop Sixth in Seven Games, Fall to Heat at Home 126-111
The Atlanta Hawks returned from their Christmas break hoping to snap a four-game losing streak. Instead, they ran into a Miami Heat squad that took control late in the first half and never looked back, handing the Hawks a 126-111 loss at State Farm Arena on Friday night. That’s now six losses in the last seven games for Atlanta - and the issues that have plagued them all season were on full display.
A Familiar Pattern: Slow Starts and Slipping Momentum
The game opened with a familiar theme for the Hawks - a sluggish start. Miami jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, taking advantage of Atlanta’s defensive lapses and lack of urgency.
But Trae Young, as he’s done so many times before, sparked a response. He scored nine of the Hawks’ 32 first-quarter points, helping Atlanta claw back to a 32-32 tie after the opening frame.
Still, even with both teams entering the night with nearly identical records - Miami at 15-15 and Atlanta at 15-16 - it was the Heat who found another gear as the game wore on.
Powell Ignites the Heat
The turning point came late in the second quarter, when Norman Powell caught fire. The veteran guard knocked down back-to-back threes and finished the half with 12 points, helping Miami stretch its lead to 63-51 at the break. Powell’s energy and shot-making gave the Heat a cushion they wouldn’t relinquish.
The Hawks, meanwhile, struggled to generate consistent offense outside of Young. Defensive rotations were a step slow, and second-chance opportunities favored Miami. It was the kind of stretch that’s become all too familiar for Atlanta during this recent slide.
Jalen Johnson’s Spark Not Enough
Atlanta showed signs of life in the third quarter, led by the physical play of Jalen Johnson. The forward attacked the rim with purpose, finishing through contact for a key three-point play that cut the Heat’s lead to 79-75 with just under four minutes left in the quarter. Johnson’s aggressiveness gave the Hawks a jolt, and Young opened the half with a three that momentarily shifted momentum.
But the Heat never panicked. They closed the third with a 90-84 lead, then opened the fourth quarter with a flurry that put the game away. A reverse layup from Powell pushed the lead back to 10 with seven minutes to play, and by the time Pelle Larsson hit a wild running hook late in the fourth, fans were already heading for the exits.
Mitchell Leads the Way at the Point
Davion Mitchell, the Hinesville, Georgia native now starting at point guard for Miami, quietly controlled the tempo throughout the night. He dished out six assists and kept the Heat offense humming, making the right reads and setting up teammates in rhythm.
For Atlanta, the loss drops their home record to 6-9 - a troubling mark for a team that’s struggled to establish any kind of home-court advantage this season.
What’s Next: Knicks, Timberwolves, and a Crucial Road Swing
There’s no time to dwell on this one. The Hawks are right back at it on Saturday, hosting the New York Knicks - the first meeting between the two teams this season. That game kicks off a crucial stretch as Atlanta looks to regain its footing before the calendar flips to 2026.
The final home game of the year comes on New Year’s Eve, when Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town for a 2 p.m. matinee. After that, the Hawks hit the road for a three-game swing to open the new year, starting with a rematch against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 2, followed by back-to-back games in Toronto on January 3 and 5.
If Atlanta wants to turn this season around, they’ll need more than just flashes from Young and Johnson. They’ll need consistency, urgency, and a defensive identity - and they’ll need it fast.