The Atlanta Hawks snapped their home losing streak with a gritty 114-111 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night, securing their second win of the season. The contest was marked by a dramatic turnaround, as Atlanta overcame a sluggish first-quarter performance to outscore Cleveland in the second period and maintain control for the remainder of the game. This win improves the Hawks’ record to 2-3, providing crucial momentum after their previous 129-117 defeat to the Miami Heat.
Okongwu’s 29-point surge powers Atlanta past Cleveland after slow start
Onyeka Okongwu was the engine of the Hawks’ offense, recording a game-high 29 points while shooting an efficient 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also anchored the defense with 12 rebounds, providing the interior presence needed to neutralize Cleveland’s frontcourt. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 25 points, while Aaron Wiggins delivered a spark off the bench with 20 points, including four successful three-pointers on seven attempts. Their combined scoring helped offset the early deficit when the Cavaliers held a 28-16 lead after the first quarter, fueled by James Harden’s nine points and Sam Merrill’s eight.
The game’s context was unique, as the Hawks’ home schedule initially drew attention for forcing the Atlanta Dream to move WNBA Finals Game 6 to an early 12:30 p.m. ET start. While the Dream ultimately won that matchup to force a historic Game 7, the Hawks focused on their own slate, proving they could handle the physicality of back-to-back play. The victory demonstrates Atlanta’s resilience, showing that despite starting the night tired, they possess the depth and shooting range to compete against elite opponents like Cleveland.
Source: Yahoo Sports
