Jalen Johnson delivered the most complete performance of his season as the Atlanta Hawks edged the Memphis Grizzlies 124-122 on Wednesday night at FedExForum.
Johnson finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and a decisive basket in the final minute, helping Atlanta survive a back-and-forth contest that featured 21 lead changes and 14 ties.
The Hawks entered the night on a four-game losing streak, but a timely fourth-quarter surge allowed them to regain control after Memphis briefly pulled ahead late.
The Grizzlies led 110-108 with 5:39 remaining before Atlanta rattled off eight consecutive points, capped by a pair of Johnson free throws that swung momentum back to the visitors.
Memphis stayed within striking distance, trimming the margin to 122-121 on a Cedric Coward three-pointer with 1:09 left, but Johnson answered again by scoring from the lane with 40 seconds remaining.
That basket proved decisive as Ja Morant misfired on a contested three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Johnson anchored the Hawks throughout the night, shooting 10-of-21 from the field and 10-of-11 from the free-throw line while adding eight assists and controlling the glass.
Luke Kennard and Onyeka Okongwu each scored 18 points for Atlanta, providing balance that proved critical down the stretch.
Kennard, facing his former team, made his first six shots of the game and connected on four three-pointers during a first-half stretch that fueled a 66-59 Hawks lead at intermission.
Atlanta reached double-digit made threes for the 37th consecutive game, continuing a season-long trend that has defined its offensive profile.
Memphis kept pace behind Morant, who posted 23 points and 12 assists, while Jaylen Wells added 18 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Coward finished with 17 apiece.
The game remained tight through three quarters, with the Grizzlies holding a narrow 95-94 edge entering the final frame.
Neither side led by more than six points in the fourth quarter, underscoring the margin-for-error nature of the contest.
Atlanta shot 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range, while Memphis countered with a strong night at the free-throw line, converting 24 of 27 attempts.
With the win, the Hawks improved to 21-25 and remained 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. Memphis fell to 18-24 and stayed 11th in the Western Conference.
Atlanta will host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, while the Grizzlies remain home to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
