Post by : Maya Rahman

The Atlanta Hawks emerged victorious with a 132-122 win against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Thursday. Onyeka Okongwu achieved a career-best 32 points, while Jalen Johnson contributed 31 points, marking a new personal high for him as well. This victory marks Atlanta’s sixth away win this season, reinforcing their lead in the Eastern Conference for road games.

Jalen Johnson also made history by recording his third career triple-double, amassing 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and seven steals alongside his 31 points. Onyeka Okongwu backed him with 11 rebounds. Vit Krejci provided a spark off the bench, hitting six 3-pointers for a total of 20 points. The Hawks showcased their shooting prowess by sinking 24 three-pointers at a remarkable 51.1% success rate.

On the losing side, Lauri Markkanen shone for Utah with 40 points. Rookie Ace Bailey scored a career-high 21 points and Keyonte George added 19 points. Unfortunately for the Jazz, they have now lost four of their last five games, despite showing tenacity on the court.

In another intense clash, the Phoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers with a score of 133-98. Devin Booker spearheaded the efforts with 33 points, including 16 in the third quarter, while Dillon Brooks added 32 points, scoring 24 in the opening half. Oso Ighodaro set a personal milestone with 17 points and seven rebounds. Grayson Allen contributed 12 points before leaving with a quad injury in the second quarter.

The Pacers struggled to match Phoenix’s relentless scoring, with Andrew Nembhard netting 21 points and eight assists, and Pascal Siakam adding 19 points. Indiana’s woes continue as they find themselves on a six-game losing streak.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors triumphed over the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-113 in an Eastern Conference contest. Scottie Barnes delivered a stellar performance with 28 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and five blocks. Immanuel Quickley tallied 25 points while Jakob Poeltl contributed 20 points. The Raptors now boast a 6-1 record since their last confrontation with Cleveland on October 31.

Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell led his team with 31 points, successfully making 15 out of 17 free throws. Nae’Qwan Tomlin scored 18 points and De’Andre Hunter added 16. Despite their contributions, the Cavaliers fell short for the second time in seven games, struggling to compete with Toronto’s balanced offensive play.

With the Hawks solidifying their hold in the Eastern Conference and the Suns riding high on a five-game win streak, the Raptors continue to show strength on the road. Meanwhile, the Jazz and Cavaliers will seek to bounce back after recent setbacks. The exceptional performances by players like Okongwu, Johnson, Markkanen, and Booker underscore the emergence of new talents in this NBA season.

#Sports News