ATLANTA (AP) — Jalen Johnson had a career-high 30 points, and the Atlanta Hawks staged a remarkable comeback from a late 21-point deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 141-133 on Thursday night.
With just 6:23 left on the clock, Atlanta trailed 124-107 but rallied back by scoring 50 points in the fourth quarter alone. This impressive resurgence included a 23-2 scoring run, allowing the Hawks to take their first lead since the first quarter.
“We knew we could get back in the game if we could just get some stops and score quickly,” Johnson said after the game, examining the late-game shift.
Trae Young also contributed significantly to the victory, scoring 27 points and achieving his 11,000th career point, along with 13 assists. De'Andre Hunter added 25 points and continued his streak of scoring 15 or more points off the bench for 13 consecutive games, the longest such streak for a reserve player in Hawks' history.
Despite the loss, Zach LaVine shone for the Bulls, scoring a season-high 37 points and demonstrating remarkable skill on the court. Jevon Carter, too, was impressive early on, scoring 19 of his 26 points within the first quarter as the Bulls maintained the lead until the final minutes of the game.
The Bulls entered the game confident, having won five of the last six matchups against the Hawks. They started strong, with Carter and Nikola Vucevic combining for 25 of the Bulls' 28 points during the opening quarter, leading Chicago to a 33-21 advantage.
“We have to learn to finish games stronger,” said Bulls coach Billy Donovan. He expressed disappointment at his team's inability to maintain their lead, especially after such a strong start.
Throughout the game, the Hawks faced challenges, particularly with their initial shooting. They started poorly, hitting less than 35% of their shots, which allowed the Bulls to capitalize. By the end of the first quarter, the Bulls led by 12 points. This trend continued as the game progressed, eventually giving Chicago their largest lead of 21 points during the fourth quarter.
With 3 minutes remaining, Young delivered the tying 3-point shot, igniting the home crowd and restoring belief among the Hawks. Moments later, Johnson seized the moment with a steal and fast-break dunk, handing Atlanta the lead.
The Hawks' fourth-quarter dominance is reflected not only in their scoring but also their defense. They executed flawlessly, committing zero turnovers during this final stretch and shooting 60% from the field. This rally proved decisive as the Bulls struggled defensively.
Chicago managed to make 22 three-pointers, extending their franchise-record streak to 31 consecutive games with at least 10 threes. Yet, this impressive statistic fell short against the sheer will of the Hawks during the game’s closing minutes.
The sold-out crowd at Atlanta's State Farm Arena was electrified as the Hawks completed their extraordinary comeback, showcasing the grit and resilience they needed for the victory. Fans left the arena buzzing with excitement after witnessing the Hawks pull off what seemed impossible just moments before.
This game marks the Hawks' second consecutive win, as they now prepare to host the Miami Heat on Saturday, hoping to carry this momentum forward. For the Bulls, they look to regroup and bounce back against the Milwaukee Bucks, eager to stop their three-game losing streak.
While individual performances were commendable across both teams, it was Atlanta's ability to rally late and seize opportunities when it counted most which set them apart. The Hawks, having proven their capability to stage comebacks, will be aiming to build off this momentum and establish themselves as strong contenders as the season progresses.
