ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson delivered a standout performance with a career-high 30 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a thrilling 141-133 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. The Hawks mounted a remarkable comeback after trailing by 21 points late in the game, igniting a spectacular offensive surge that saw them score an astounding 50 points in the fourth quarter.
With just over six minutes left on the clock, Atlanta found themselves in a 124-107 hole but rallied back with a remarkable 23-2 run to seize the lead for the first time since the opening quarter. Johnson’s heroics were complemented by an impressive 15 rebounds, while Trae Young contributed 27 points, surpassing the 11,000 career point milestone, and dishing out 13 assists as the Hawks secured their second consecutive victory.
While the Bulls fought valiantly, Zach LaVine showcased his scoring prowess with a season-high 37 points. Jevon Carter also made a significant impact with 26 points, 19 of which came in a scintillating first-quarter display. Despite shooting an impressive 54% from the field (53 for 98), Chicago suffered their third consecutive defeat.
In a display of early dominance, the Bulls surged ahead with a 31-12 run in the first quarter, establishing a commanding 33-21 lead after the opening period. However, the Hawks gradually clawed their way back into contention, ultimately seizing control of the game in the final moments.
De’Andre Hunter emerged as a valuable contributor off the bench for Atlanta, chipping in with 25 points, extending his streak of scoring 15 or more points in 13 consecutive games – a franchise record for a reserve player in Hawks’ history. The balanced scoring effort saw six Atlanta players reach double figures in points, underscoring the team’s collective offensive prowess.
A pivotal moment in the game came with just three minutes remaining when Young buried a game-tying 3-pointer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy as the contest was deadlocked for the first time since the opening quarter. Building on this momentum, Johnson seized a steal and converted a powerful dunk to propel Atlanta into the lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite the Bulls setting a franchise record by connecting on 22 3-pointers, extending their streak to 31 consecutive games with at least 10 made threes, it was not enough to overcome the resurgent Hawks in a high-scoring affair.
Looking ahead, Atlanta is set to host the Miami Heat, while Chicago will welcome the Milwaukee Bucks in their next matchups on Saturday.
