ATLANTA – In a commanding display, the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Utah Jazz with a 147-134 victory on Sunday night, furthering Utah’s ongoing struggle with a nine-game losing streak.
Onyeka Okongwu was integral to the Hawks’ performance, contributing 27 points and 12 rebounds. Trae Young showcased his skillful playmaking with 23 points and an impressive 15 assists. The Hawks maintained the lead throughout, with key contributions from Caris LeVert, who notched 21 points, while Dyson Daniels added 19. Vit Krejci made all his five attempted three-pointers, ending the game with 17 points.
A pivotal moment occurred when Young orchestrated a smooth sequence by assisting Okongwu for a layup and then facilitating Terance Mann’s three-point play, sparking a 9-0 run. Mann’s emphatic put-back dunk, which expanded Atlanta’s lead to 131-114 with just under eight minutes remaining on the clock, underscored the team’s momentum.
On the opposing end, Keyonte George was outstanding for the Jazz, securing a personal best of 35 points and hitting seven from beyond the arc. Collin Sexton also added 27 points, while Isaiah Collier impressed with 17 points and distributed 12 assists. Collier’s remarkable tally of 446 assists this season is a remarkable rookie achievement, echoing Ja Morant’s 488 assists during the 2019-20 campaign.
Takeaways from the game show a challenging period for the Jazz, who have endured losing streaks thrice since mid-January, snagging a single victory in their last 20 matchups. The team hasn’t managed consecutive wins since early January with back-to-back triumphs against Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.
Conversely, the Hawks excelled in their shooting accuracy, posting a field goal percentage of 57% and hitting 22 out of 41 (53%) from the three-point range, although their defensive efforts left room for improvement. Utah managed a 52% field goal rate, nailing 20 three-pointers, exceeding their season average by 23 points.
A defining highlight was Trae Young’s impressive three-pointer from the logo, cementing the Hawks’ lead by 15 points with only four minutes left in the game.
Statistically, Utah’s defense faltered dramatically, having allowed 81 points in the first half alone—a continuation of defensive challenges highlighted by their previous game where they allowed 83 points in the second half against the Indiana Pacers.
Looking ahead, the Jazz will return to their home court to face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Hawks are set to start a three-game road trip, beginning with the Orlando Magic on Tuesday.