ATLANTA – Jalen Johnson’s career-high 28 points were the highlight in a thrilling game as the Atlanta Hawks clinched a 141-138 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, bringing an end to OKC’s five-game winning streak.
The Hawks set the tone early, racing to an 11-0 lead and maintaining the upper hand throughout the game. Trae Young contributed significantly with 24 points and 11 assists, alongside three other Hawks scoring over 20 points – Bogdan Bogdanovic with 23 and Dejounte Murray adding 22.
Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with a strong performance, scoring 33 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Jalen Williams also added a significant 21 points.
Johnson’s performance marked his second consecutive personal scoring high, following his 24-point game against Washington. Young praised Johnson’s potential, indicating high expectations for the young player’s future.
The game remained competitive in its final moments, with Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup cutting Atlanta’s lead to just five points with less than a minute to go. Despite a late push by OKC, including another basket from Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder fell short as Isaiah Joe’s last-second 3-pointer missed the mark.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged his team’s struggle against the Hawks’ play style, conceding that Atlanta outplayed them. Despite the loss, the Thunder remain strong contenders in the Western Conference.
For the Hawks, who have had a challenging home record of 5-9, this victory could be a significant turning point. With the majority of their January games at home, they aim to build momentum starting with this win.
Johnson’s impact was felt not just in scoring but also defensively, achieving a career-high four steals. His second-quarter performance, including a memorable dunk over 7-foot-1 Chet Holmgren, was a key factor in Atlanta’s dominant first half, where they led 76-59.
The Thunder’s schedule, including back-to-back games and travel fatigue, seemed to impact their start, as they missed their initial seven shots. Meanwhile, the Hawks capitalized on their fast-paced play, matching their season-high for fast-break points in a half.
Both teams are looking ahead to their next games, with the Thunder set to face the Brooklyn Nets and the Hawks visiting the Indiana Pacers on Friday. As the season progresses, this game will stand out as a testament to the Hawks’ offensive capabilities and resilience, and a reminder of the Thunder’s potential despite the setback.
