Atlanta outscored Brooklyn 36-26 in the fourth to turn a seven-point deficit into a three-point win.
The Atlanta Hawks erased a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Brooklyn Nets 124-121 on Saturday. Brooklyn opened with a 37-27 first quarter, led 70-66 at halftime, and carried a 95-88 advantage into the fourth. Jalen Johnson paced Atlanta with 30 points on 11-of-17 shooting, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, no blocks and three turnovers. Nickeil Alexander-Walker posted 20 points on 7-of-17 shooting with three rebounds, one assist, no steals or blocks and one turnover, while Aaron Wiggins also scored 20, going 7-of-19 with four rebounds, six assists, one steal, no blocks and zero turnovers. Michael Porter Jr. led Brooklyn with 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal, no blocks and three turnovers. Nolan Traoré scored 19 on 8-of-10 shooting with one rebound, two assists, four steals, no blocks and one turnover; Julius Randle added 19 on 8-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds, eight assists, two steals, no blocks and six turnovers. Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, two rebounds, five assists, no steals, four blocks and zero turnovers as Atlanta’s 36-26 fourth-quarter edge proved decisive.
Key Performers
Jalen Johnson (Atlanta): 30 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST; 11-of-17 FG Michael Porter Jr. (Brooklyn): 25 PTS, 9 REB; 8-of-17 FG Onyeka Okongwu (Atlanta): 16 PTS, 4 BLK, 0 TO; 5-of-10 FG
Standings Impact
Atlanta improved from 7-4 to 8-4, while Brooklyn fell from 2-7 to 2-8. The pregame power index ranked the Hawks 12th and the Nets 23rd.
DYMA Insight
The Hawks trailed by seven entering the fourth, then won the period by 10. Johnson’s 30 points and Okongwu’s four blocks gave Atlanta a scoring lead and a defensive anchor in a three-point finish.