The Atlanta Hawks extended their remarkable late-season surge with an eighth consecutive victory, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 108-97 on Thursday night at State Farm Arena. The win not only cements the Hawks as the hottest team in the NBA but also marks their longest winning streak since March 2021, a testament to the team’s recent adjustments and newfound chemistry.
Coming into the matchup, Atlanta was riding high on a seven-game win streak but faced a few lineup changes. Dyson Daniels, a key piece in the Hawks’ recent run, was ruled out before tipoff due to a left great toe sprain. Daniels had been instrumental in Atlanta’s success, contributing 81 points, 54 rebounds, 50 assists, and just four turnovers in the previous seven games—a stat line that made him the first player in NBA history to exceed 80 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists with fewer than five turnovers over a seven-game span.
The absence of Daniels was offset by the return of Jonathan Kuminga, who was cleared to play after missing three games with a left knee bone bruise. Acquired from the Golden State Warriors in a February trade, Kuminga has made an immediate impact in his brief Hawks tenure, averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per contest. His efficiency has been eye-popping, shooting 67.7% from the field and 55.6% from beyond the arc in his first three appearances. Kuminga, a member of the Warriors’ 2022 championship squad, has quickly established himself as a valuable addition to Atlanta’s young core.
The Hawks’ opponent, the Brooklyn Nets, entered the game in a far different position. Plagued by injuries and inconsistency, the Nets were the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 17-48 record. Key players including Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Nolan Traore, and Day’ron Sharpe were all unavailable, with Sharpe recently declared out for the remainder of the season. Brooklyn’s struggles were evident, having dropped 12 of their last 14 games, and their road record stood at a disappointing 8-25.
Despite the apparent mismatch, the game itself was anything but a walkover for Atlanta. The Hawks jumped out to an early 17-7 lead, fueled by a quick 11-0 run highlighted by three-pointers from Gabe Vincent and Zaccharie Risacher. Yet, the Nets refused to fold, repeatedly clawing back whenever Atlanta threatened to pull away. Brooklyn closed the opening quarter deficit to just three points early in the second, thanks to a floater from Nicolas Claxton. The Hawks, however, responded with another burst, stretching the lead back to double digits on a Risacher putback and a Vincent pull-up triple.
By halftime, the Hawks held a 57-50 advantage, with Risacher leading all scorers with 16 points. The French rookie continued his strong play into the second half, finishing the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal. Risacher’s efficiency was notable—he shot 50% from the field and 60% from three-point range, all while coming off the bench. "Risacher has done some of the little things better, which has opened up his game later in the season," observed Kahlil McCuller of Atlanta Hawks On SI.
Atlanta’s offense, while ultimately effective, struggled with shooting consistency throughout the game, connecting on just 39% of their field goal attempts and 30% from deep. However, the Hawks capitalized on Brooklyn’s mistakes, scoring a whopping 29 points off the Nets’ 20 turnovers. This opportunistic play proved crucial, especially as the Hawks’ zone defense occasionally allowed Brooklyn open looks from three-point range.
Josh Minott was the primary beneficiary for the Nets, torching Atlanta for a career-high 24 points, including four three-pointers. Minott’s performance represented both a personal and team season high for Brooklyn. Drake Powell chipped in with 11 points, while Ben Saraf and Noah Clowney added 10 apiece. Clowney, in particular, saw an increased offensive role with so many Brooklyn regulars sidelined, a development anticipated by NetsDaily before the game.
The third quarter saw the Nets rally to tie the game at 74 after Minott’s third triple, and Tyson Etienne’s buzzer-beating three-pointer brought Brooklyn within three (82-79) heading into the final period. Early in the fourth, the Nets even grabbed their first lead since the game’s opening minutes, as Saraf’s turnaround hook put Brooklyn ahead 83-82. But Atlanta’s response was swift and decisive—a 10-0 run, sparked by six points from C.J. McCollum, restored a nine-point advantage for the Hawks.
Jalen Johnson, who has emerged as a leader during the Hawks’ win streak, was instrumental down the stretch. Johnson finished the night just shy of a triple-double, tallying 21 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. He scored nine of Atlanta’s 11-0 run late in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing the outcome. "It wasn’t particularly pretty, but the Hawks beat the Nets at home tonight for their 8th straight victory," tweeted Brad Rowland of Locked On Hawks.
Other notable contributors for Atlanta included Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18 points), McCollum (14 points), and Onyeka Okongwu (13 points). The team’s ability to spread the scoring load has been a hallmark of their recent success, even as they navigate injuries and lineup changes.
For the Hawks, this win not only extends their streak to eight but also reinforces their status as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 34-31 record. The turnaround since the All-Star break has been dramatic—defensive adjustments, improved health, and the integration of new talent like Kuminga have all played a role. With the postseason looming and a matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks up next, Atlanta’s fans have plenty of reasons for optimism.
As for the Nets, the loss underscores a season of transition and adversity. With several key players out and young talents like Minott and Clowney taking on larger roles, Brooklyn will look to use the remaining games to develop its roster and evaluate future building blocks.
In a season marked by ups and downs, the Hawks’ current run offers a glimpse of what could be a promising future. With their longest winning streak in five years and a roster full of ascending talent, Atlanta is turning heads across the league—and they aren’t done yet.