Jalen Johnson and Onieka Okongwu in !
Scored 152 points against the PacersThe Jazz offense is capable of the biggest cards. The problem is, like the Hawks! Completely overwhelmed by their opponent’s outside skill and plagued by turnovers, the Jazz lost at home 132-122. Still without Tree Young, the Hawks relied on the exceptional duo of Jalen Johnson – Onieka Okongwa. Lauri Markkanen may have reached the 40-point mark again, but Atlanta’s fortunes made the difference.
From the rebound, the ball circles the Hawks side perfectly. Jaylen Johnson and Luke Kennard each draw three times from distance without a single miss. It’s very simple, Atlanta shoots 9/12 from behind the arc in the quarter! Utah eventually responds, like it did Tuesday against the Pacers. Markkanen scored 15 points in the first act to drop his team to -9.
Two fire attacks
The second quarter started the same as the first: Atlanta scored. This time Wit Krejci fires from a perfect 5/5 from long range. The gap widens, but Ace Bailey, Ryan Dunn and Kyle Filipowski respond from behind the arc to keep the gap under control. It’s “hooray basketball”, and in the paint Markanen torments the opponent’s defense. Dyson Daniels, a member of the All-Defensive First Team, can’t do anything either: 22 points for the Finn at the break, while Daniels accumulates fouls (3). At halftime, the two teams combined… 24 successful 3-point shots and the Hawks led 80 – 67!
Coming back from the locker room, the Hawks lose their skill near the rim, their aggressiveness on the rebound fades and the Jazz take advantage. Isaiah Collier, impressive in his power, multiplies his penetrations. Ace Bailey is very interesting in the game, both intelligent and aggressive. The Jazz are better at shooting, and “grandfather” Kevin Love is the one who gives the advantage to his team (95-94) with a three-pointer for which he has a secret. Onieka Okongwu answers twice, and the two teams attack the last quarter back to back: 103-103.
Freed from long range, Okongwu continues his festival and the Hawks take control (116-112). Atlanta’s defense is much better, and as soon as Markkanen is well defended, the entire Jazz offense takes over. On the Utah side, the last six minutes were disastrous: no more rhythm, no more solutions. The result, Atlanta goes on an 8-0 run to escape (127-118). Okongwu returned near the circle to do more damage, and Atlanta won 132-122 to move up to No. 4 in their conference.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
Jaylen Johnson nears quadruple-double. It’s been a long time since a player has flirted so much with a triple-double. Released, the Hawks wing center scored 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists and… 7 steals. Absent for the second part of the season, Johnson found a level worthy of taking him to the All-Star game. This is his third triple-double in his career, and he breaks his own records for points and assists.
Sweat Outline Dechain ! A career record for the interior of the Hawks with 32 points, to which he adds 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. But we especially remember his 8 of 14 from 3-point range! After three NBA seasons, Okongwu scored just four game-winning baskets…
Ace Bailey confirms. Novak fully justifies his place in the starting five with 21 points on 8 of 13 shots and great activity. After three starts, he is averaging 17 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.7 steals.
2025-11-14 05:37:00
