11/13/25 10:58:00
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11/13 22:56 CST Jalen Johnson leads the Hawks past the Jazz with a
triple-double and a career-best effort
Jalen Johnson leads the Hawks past the Jazz with a triple-double and a
career-best effort
By MATTHEW COLES
Associated Press
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) --- Jalen Johnson had 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists
and seven steals, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 132-122 victory over the Utah
Jazz on Thursday night.
Johnson reached career highs in points and assists in his third career
triple-double.
Playing without Trae Young, the Hawks (8-5) have won four straight and made 24
3-pointers, the most by any NBA team this season.
Onyeka Okongwu was 8 for 14 from 3-point range after never having made more
than four in a game on his way to a career-high 32 points.
The Hawks set a franchise record with 15 3-pointers in the first half on 25
attempts, led by Vit Krejci's 5-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Krejci made
one 3 in the second half and finished with 20 points.
Lauri Markkanen scored 40 points on 15-for-25 shooting. Rookie Ace Bailey
notched another career best with 21 points and Keyonte George added 19 for Utah
(4-8), which has yet to post consecutive wins this season.
Atlanta clinched the game with an 8-0 late run that included steals by Johnson
and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and was capped by Johnson's two free throws to
make it 127-118 with 3:03 to play.
The Hawks led by as many as 18, but the Jazz mounted a comeback and took a
106-103 lead early in the fourth quarter on Markkanen's 3-pointer.
The Hawks have found success without many of their most important players.
Young has missed two weeks with an MCL sprain and Kristaps Porzingis missed
Thursday's game to rest.
Without a ball-dominant point guard, the Hawks are spreading the ball around
and racking up the assists (36 in this one) while they continue to win with a
diminished roster.
The game was delayed more than 10 minutes while arena staff workers repaired
one of the baskets.
Up next
Atlanta: Finish their four-game road trip at Phoenix on Sunday.
Jazz: Host Chicago on Sunday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
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