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Jalen Johnson’s Stellar Performance Drives Hawks Past Hornets in 113-110 Thriller

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson

Key Takeaways:

  • Jalen Johnson recorded 28 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks edged the Charlotte Hornets 113-110
  • Kon Knueppel led the Hornets with 28 points and set a rookie franchise record by making seven three-pointers
  • The Hawks have won seven of their last nine outings, while the Hornets’ losing streak extended to six games

Match Analysis

The Atlanta Hawks continued their strong run of form on Sunday night, claiming a narrow 113-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at home. Jalen Johnson starred for the Hawks, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 28 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, helping the team register its seventh win in the past nine games.

The contest remained close throughout, with the Hawks using a late surge spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth – a 16-2 run – to take control. Mouhamed Gueye had a notable impact off the bench during this period, contributing a dunk, a block, and a driving basket to bolster Atlanta’s momentum.

Individual Performances and Records

Nickeil Alexander-Walker put up 23 points and snared five rebounds for Atlanta, while Dyson Daniels added 22 points and nine boards. Onyeka Okongwu also made a significant contribution, registering 20 points.

For Charlotte, rookie Kon Knueppel was the standout performer with 28 points, establishing a new Hornets rookie record with seven made three-pointers. Knueppel extended his remarkable shooting run, having made at least 40% from beyond the arc in six consecutive games and converting 16 of 23 attempts over his last two outings. Entering Sunday night, he led all rookies in scoring at 18.8 points per game and tallied seven games in November with at least 24 points.

Johnson’s consistency also saw him set a new Atlanta franchise record, notching at least 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists for the eighth straight game.

Critical Moments

The Hornets trailed by two points with just 11 seconds left before Alexander-Walker stripped Knueppel on a drive to the hoop. Fouled immediately, Alexander-Walker converted one of two free throws, providing Atlanta a slim cushion. Charlotte had a final opportunity to force overtime, but Miles Bridges’ contested three-point effort fell well short at the buzzer.

TeamPointsTop ScorerNotable Stats
Atlanta Hawks113Jalen Johnson (28)Johnson: 28 pts, 11 ast, 8 reb; Alexander-Walker: 23 pts, 5 reb; Daniels: 22 pts, 9 reb
Charlotte Hornets110Kon Knueppel (28)Knueppel: 7 three-pointers (rookie record); Okongwu: 20 pts

Statistical Highlights

The Hornets, arriving with the NBA’s highest three-point shooting percentage at 41.5%, were restricted to 31.8% shooting from distance, connecting on just 14 of 44 attempts. Despite falling behind by double digits during the Hawks’ key run, the Hornets continued to challenge, keeping the result in doubt until the final seconds.

Looking Ahead

  • The Hornets will welcome the New York Knicks on Wednesday
  • The Hawks are set to travel to Washington for a match-up on Tuesday

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