On December 26, 2024, the Atlanta Hawks mounted one of the most thrilling comebacks of the NBA season, overcoming a massive 21-point deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 141-133 at State Farm Arena. This dramatic win not only showcased the tenacity of the Hawks but also highlighted the impressive performances from their star players, particularly Jalen Johnson and Trae Young.
Trailing 124-107 with just 6:23 left on the clock, the Hawks, now with a 16-15 record, unleashed a spectacular 50-point fourth quarter. They orchestrated a 23-2 run, turning what looked to be certain defeat at one point early in the final period, to their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. Johnson emerged as the night’s standout, scoring a career-high 30 points alongside 15 rebounds, proving instrumental to the win.
"Games like this are when we really needed the crowd and they were there for us," praised Hawks head coach Quin Snyder, acknowledging the impact of the home crowd which was on its feet during the comeback.
Meanwhile, Trae Young, solidifying his status as the team's All-Star guard, added 27 points and dished out 13 assists, crossing the significant milestone of 11,000 career points. Young, reflecting on the energy at the arena, expressed his eagerness for the team to earn the opportunity to play on Christmas Day someday. "I want to play a Christmas game, not only in general, but especially here in the A," he remarked, hinting at the Hawks' aspiration to be back on the marquee NBA holiday schedule.
The match began with intensity as the Bulls took control early on. Reserve guard Jevon Carter surprised many with his shooting prowess, hitting all six of his three-point attempts to help the Bulls race to a 33-12 lead by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, Chicago extended their margin to 64-53, maintaining their lead with contributions from Zach Levine, who finished with 37 points, marking his highest scoring game of the season.
Despite being down, Atlanta showed resilience, finally cutting the Bulls' lead down to single digits late in the game. Key plays by rookie Dyson Daniels—scoring 15 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and contributing 4 assists—were pivotal. His timely shot from beyond the arc helped to shift momentum back toward the Hawks as they closed the gap.
Highlighting the Hawks' synergy, Snyder noted the importance of Zaccharie Risacher’s late-game steal, which energized the crowd: "You saw his passion and his competitiveness tonight. He was pissed off," Snyder said. This was significant, showing how every player's contribution counted during the comeback.
With just over two minutes remaining, Johnson converted on a powerful dunk to give the Hawks their first lead since the early minutes of the first quarter. Young secured the victory for Atlanta with decisive free throws down the stretch, rounding out the 50-point fourth quarter, which was remarkably instrumental and necessary for the win against their rivals.
This victory was particularly meaningful as the Hawks hadn’t featured on the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule since 1989—an interesting fact considering the current roster, which includes players who weren't even born when the Hawks last hit the NBA’s holiday spotlight. The excitement from the A also suggests anticipation for future showdowns and aspirations among the players.
Following this riveting win over Chicago, the Hawks aim to build on their momentum as they prepare to host the Miami Heat on December 28, 2024. With the season rolling forward, how the Hawks and their stars strive to keep pushing could determine their playoff position and possibly bring back the sparkle of festive basketball to Atlanta, where they envision future Christmas games.
