Jalen Johnson delivered an impressive all-around performance with 29 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks (3-4) to a 126-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (3-4). This win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Hawks.
The Pelicans, missing Zion Williamson due to last-minute hamstring tightness, were left with Brandon Ingram as their primary scorer. Ingram scored 32 points but couldn’t prevent the Hawks from controlling the game, especially with New Orleans also missing CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy III.
The Hawks had six players scoring in double figures. Trae Young added 23 points, while former Pelican Dyson Daniels returned from injury to contribute 16 points. Larry Nance Jr. also chipped in 14 against his former team, helping Atlanta maintain a steady lead.
Atlanta’s defensive strength became apparent as the game progressed, outscoring New Orleans 66-32 in the paint. This inside dominance helped the Hawks break the game open, highlighted by a 14-0 run in the fourth quarter that stretched their lead to 116-97.
New Orleans fought hard with its young reserves, with Jordan Hawkins scoring 19 points and Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain each adding 14 off the bench. Despite these efforts, the depleted Pelicans roster struggled to keep pace with the Hawks’ more complete lineup.
The Hawks’ bench players, particularly Daniels and Nance, took satisfaction in their strong performances against their former team. Daniels celebrated a three-pointer with a spirited hand gesture, while Nance blew a kiss to the Pelicans’ bench after sinking a shot late in the third quarter.
Atlanta’s victory came despite injuries of their own, as they were missing De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and rotation players Vit Krejci and Kobe Bufkin. Johnson’s playmaking filled those gaps, nearly achieving a triple-double and setting a tone for the Hawks.
