Hawks Rally to Defeat Nets After Fourth-Quarter Comeback
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks overcame an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 115-104 on Sunday, handing Brooklyn their fourth consecutive loss. Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 26 points and 12 rebounds, spearheading a remarkable comeback that saw Atlanta outscore the Nets 24-2 in the game’s final minutes.
The pivotal shift in momentum began with 8:01 remaining in the fourth quarter, when the Hawks trailed 102-91. Atlanta then unleashed a dominant run, fueled by Johnson’s 12 points during the stretch, while the Nets faltered, missing 11 of their final 12 field goal attempts and going 0-for-10 from three-point range in the closing minutes.
CJ McCollum contributed 16 points and 8 rebounds in his first start for the Hawks since arriving in a trade that sent Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Jock Landale proved impactful off the bench, scoring 17 points in 16 minutes and connecting on all three of his three-point attempts. Onyeka Okongwu delivered a powerful performance, highlighted by a thunderous dunk over Nic Claxton, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks.
For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. Was the leading scorer with 18 points, adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Nic Claxton, returning after a three-game absence due to ankle and hip injuries, contributed 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Hawks had previously lost three of their last four home games, making this victory particularly significant. The team’s turnaround was also aided by the performance of rookie Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who came off the bench for just the second time in his career and scored seven points.
Atlanta’s strong finish was a testament to their resilience and ability to execute under pressure. The Nets, meanwhile, struggled to maintain their composure and shooting accuracy as the Hawks mounted their comeback.
Looking ahead, the Nets will host the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. The Hawks will also play at home on Tuesday, welcoming the Washington Wizards.
