The Atlanta Hawks continued their hot streak on Thursday night, taking on the Brooklyn Nets and aiming for their eighth consecutive win. Facing a Nets squad struggling this season and missing key players, the Hawks seized the opportunity, even without Dyson Daniels in the lineup.
The silver lining? Jonathan Kuminga made his return after sitting out three games.
Right from the tip-off, the Hawks set the tone, especially from beyond the arc. Corey Kispert wasted no time, sinking an early three-pointer to ignite the offense. Meanwhile, Zaccharie Risacher showcased his athleticism with a highlight-reel lob from Gabe Vincent.
The Nets' defensive lapses were glaring, leaving Jalen Johnson wide open for an easy drive to the basket. Despite some missed opportunities, the Hawks maintained control, leading 30-21 at the end of the first quarter.
Brooklyn showed some fight in the second quarter, trimming the Hawks' lead to just three at one point. But Atlanta quickly regrouped, tightening up their offensive execution. Risacher was on fire from deep, not missing a beat in the first half.
Johnson continued to make his presence felt, this time turning defense into offense with another emphatic dunk. The Hawks' ball movement was crisp, setting up Onyeka Okongwu for a powerful dunk and a chance for a three-point play. By halftime, Atlanta held a 57-50 advantage.
The third quarter saw a sluggish start for the Hawks, allowing the Nets to close the gap to a single point. However, Atlanta responded, with Johnson draining a key three-pointer to extend the lead.
Brooklyn wasn't backing down, though, tying the game and even briefly taking the lead. Nickeil Alexander-Walker turned up the heat late in the quarter, helping the Hawks regain a narrow 82-79 edge heading into the fourth.
The Nets grabbed a quick lead in the final quarter, but it was short-lived. Alexander-Walker and Mouhamed Gueye anchored the defense, sparking a Hawks run. CJ McCollum exploited mismatches in the paint, adding to the Hawks' momentum.
With a nine-point cushion, Atlanta kept the pressure on, and Johnson's timely three-pointer ensured the Hawks stayed in control. The defense clamped down, holding the Nets scoreless for a crucial stretch of four to five minutes, allowing the Hawks to secure a comfortable lead.
In the end, the Hawks celebrated their eighth straight victory. Johnson delivered a near triple-double with 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Alexander-Walker chipped in 18 points, while Risacher added 19 points and nine rebounds.
The Hawks are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks next, looking to keep their winning streak alive.