The Atlanta Hawks secured a 107-104 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday night, marking their third consecutive victory.
Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 20 points and nine assists, while De’Andre Hunter added 18 points, including crucial free throws in the final seconds.
Onyeka Okongwu contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Trae Young and rookie Zaccharie Risacher scored 14 points apiece.
Atlanta’s defense played a key role, forcing Charlotte into 14 turnovers, with a late steal by Young setting up a momentum-shifting dunk for Hunter.
For Charlotte, Brandon Miller delivered a standout performance, scoring 32 points, including seven 3-pointers. Josh Green chipped in 17 points, while Nick Richards, returning from injury, provided 12 points and five rebounds off the bench. Despite their efforts, the Hornets fell short, extending their losing streak to five games.
Miller’s 3-pointer cut Atlanta’s lead to one with 9.7 seconds left. However, Hunter responded with two free throws to push the lead back to three. Miller then missed an off-balance 3-point attempt, and Okongwu secured the rebound and iced the game with two free throws.
The Hornets were without LaMelo Ball, who is sidelined with a calf injury, leaving them struggling to generate consistent offense. Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate provided a spark on the glass with eight offensive rebounds, but their overall shooting woes—37.2% from the field—proved costly.
Atlanta capitalized on Charlotte’s miscues, converting turnovers into transition points and maintaining a balanced scoring attack. Despite Trae Young’s slow start, the Hawks showcased their depth with significant contributions from their bench, including Hunter’s efficient shooting and Kobe Bufkin’s nine points and four assists.
Charlotte’s bench tried to keep the team competitive, with Cody Martin adding 12 points and KJ Simpson contributing eight. However, the Hornets missed key opportunities, including a late turnover in a critical five-on-four situation.
The Hawks shot 48.7% from the field, with Johnson hitting four 3-pointers to spark Atlanta’s early offense. The Hornets managed to stay close thanks to their 37.5% shooting from deep, with Miller and Green combining for 11 triples.
Atlanta improved to 10-11 on the season, demonstrating resilience as they climb up the Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte, now 6-14, faces mounting challenges with injuries and inconsistency hampering their season.
