Atlanta recovered from a 12-point first-quarter deficit and held off Cleveland, 114-111, behind Onyeka Okongwu’s 29 points.
The Hawks trailed by 12 after the opening quarter but rallied to beat the Cavaliers 114-111. Atlanta flipped the game with a 30-16 second quarter, taking a 46-44 halftime lead, then stretched its advantage with a 43-point third. Onyeka Okongwu led the charge with 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting, plus 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one turnover. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting, with three rebounds, one assist, no steals, one block and no turnovers; Aaron Wiggins scored 20 on 8-of-14 shooting and had seven rebounds, three assists, no steals, one block and one turnover. James Harden answered with 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting, five rebounds, four assists, no steals, no blocks and three turnovers, while Donovan Mitchell scored 22 on 7-of-19 shooting. Cleveland won the fourth quarter 29-25, but Atlanta’s earlier surge proved decisive in the three-point finish.
Key Performers
Onyeka Okongwu (ATL): 29 PTS, 12 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO; 11/17 FG Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL): 25 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO; 8/17 FG James Harden (CLE): 24 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO; 7/14 FG
Standings Impact
Atlanta entered at 2-3 and Cleveland at 3-1; the Hawks add a win while the Cavaliers take a second regular-season loss.
DYMA Insight
The turning point was Atlanta’s 30-16 second quarter after its 16-28 opening frame. Okongwu’s 29-point, 12-rebound performance anchored the comeback.