Jalen Johnson nets 28 to help Atlanta Hawks end Oklahoma City Thunder win streak

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jan 4, 2024, 09:48 IST

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Jalen Johnson's career-high 28 points led the Atlanta Hawks to a 141-138 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Hawks maintained their lead throughout the game, despite a late surge from the Thunder. Isaiah Joe attempted a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it fell short, sealing the win for the Hawks.

Jalen Johnson nets 28 to help Atlanta Hawks end Oklahoma City Thunder win streak

Jalen Johnson (AFP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Jalen Johnson's career-high 28 points propelled the Atlanta Hawks to a 141-138 victory over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, snapping the Thunder's five-game winning streak. The Hawks maintained their lead from start to finish but had to fend off a late surge from Oklahoma City.
Atlanta enjoyed a 15-point lead with just 2:27 remaining, but the Thunder mounted a comeback, reducing the deficit to three points with 27 seconds left on a basket by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.After a missed 3-pointer by Bogdan Bogdanovic, Gilgeous-Alexander secured the rebound with 3.2 seconds left. In the final play, Isaiah Joe attempted a potential game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer, but it fell short, sealing the win for the Hawks.
The victory allowed Atlanta to even the season series, as the Thunder had previously won by nine points in Oklahoma City on November 6.
In addition to Johnson's stellar performance, the Hawks received contributions from Trae Young (24 points, 11 assists), Bogdan Bogdanovic (23 points), and Dejounte Murray (22 points).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with an impressive stat line of 33 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. It marked his eighth game with 30 or more points in the last nine outings. Jalen Williams also contributed 21 points for Oklahoma City.
Despite arriving at their Atlanta hotel at 4:30 a.m. following a home win over Boston, the Thunder struggled early in the game. Atlanta capitalized, jumping to an 11-0 lead. The Hawks maintained control, finishing the first quarter with a 39-25 advantage. The lead extended to 21 points in the second quarter, and Atlanta took a 76-59 lead into halftime.

Oklahoma City made a competitive push in the third quarter, with Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 14 points, but the Hawks held their ground and secured the win. Atlanta will next face the Indiana Pacers on Friday, while the Thunder continue their road trip against the Brooklyn Nets on the same day.
(With Reuters inputs)

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TOI Sports Desk

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