Jalen Johnson returned from injury with a 30-point performance, helping the Atlanta Hawks overcome a 17-point deficit and defeat the Brooklyn Nets 124-121 on Saturday night.
Johnson had missed three games with a left ankle sprain. His return helped Atlanta extend its winning streak to four games, but the Hawks needed a strong finish to complete the comeback.
Atlanta Takes Control Late
Brooklyn held the lead for most of the night. Atlanta finally moved ahead when Nickeil Alexander-Walker made two free throws with 1:26 remaining.
The Hawks outscored the Nets 36-26 in the fourth quarter, turning a game spent chasing Brooklyn into a narrow victory.
Alexander-Walker and Aaron Wiggins each contributed 20 points, while Onyeka Okongwu added 16.
Brooklyn’s Fast Start Slips Away
The Nets opened a 31-14 lead in the first quarter, putting Atlanta under pressure early. By halftime, however, the Hawks had cut Brooklyn’s advantage to 70-66.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Nets with 25 points. Nolan Traore scored a season-high 19, and Julius Randle also finished with 19.
Rookie Mikel Brown Jr. contributed 18 points, including three fourth-quarter 3-pointers that helped Brooklyn stay ahead before Atlanta’s late push.
A Final Scare for the Hawks
The outcome remained uncertain until the closing seconds.
Danny Wolf connected on a 3-pointer with 1.5 seconds left, cutting Atlanta’s lead to two. After a Hawks timeout, Okongwu made one of two free throws to establish the final three-point margin.
Johnson supplied the scoring headline, but Atlanta’s comeback required contributions throughout the lineup. The Hawks’ fourth-quarter surge ultimately made the difference
