Hawks end skid with close 114-111 win against the Cavs
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 29, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Atlanta Hawks were back in action on Thursday evening to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Hawks are coming off a loss to the Miami Heat last night, where not much went right for them on either side of the ball. The one bright spot was Kingston Flemings, who had his breakout game, finishing with 23 points.
As for the Cavaliers, they’re also coming off a back-to-back, as they defeated the Washington Wizards 121-111.
The Hawks struggled against the Heat due to the likes of their frontcourt, and the Cavaliers pose similar problems with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen down low.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker got things started for the Hawks with a 3-pointer.
Keil gets our first basket with a wing triple pic.twitter.com/h9DNhwSOEC
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
It was another slow offensive outing for the team in the first quarter, as they couldn’t get much to go at the rim. The 3-point numbers weren’t bad, but they didn’t take that many to make a big difference.
That led the Cavaliers to grab a double-digit lead toward the middle of the quarter, and the Hawks found themselves fighting back. Going into the second, the Hawks trailed the Cavaliers 28-16.
It was a slow start to the second for the Hawks, but the bench was able to find a little bit of a rhythm to cut down their deficit. It was Aaron Wiggins who brought the Hawks life as the quarter continued, knocking down a few 3-pointers to bring them within striking distance.
Wiggs getting us going with a couple buckets 🪣🪣 pic.twitter.com/A6ZyjPU3gg
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
The starters fed off that energy, and they were able to get stops on defense that led to their offense. Onyeka Okongwu made a layup to tie the game at 37.
CJ with a little razzle dazzle 💫 pic.twitter.com/K4OD2AN507
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
The Hawks were able to take the lead a few possessions later, and even extend it a little further. Okongwu was able to get a few 3-pointers to go in after struggling with his shot to start the season.
Triple O knocks down his 2nd longball of the night 🏹🏹 pic.twitter.com/B5gE75aASG
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
The Hawks led 46-44 going into halftime.
It was a strong start to the third for the Hawks, and Okongwu continued his hot shooting from the 3-point line. They were able to maintain their lead throughout the quarter, and Okongwu brought his scoring inside the paint.
Onyeka in attack mode in the 3rd 💪 pic.twitter.com/Egu4NyfLvy
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
Wiggins and Jalen Johnson were able to knock down 3-pointers.
1 and 2 each make a 3 😁😁 pic.twitter.com/TQGTV1mJqi
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
Even when the Cavaliers made their run, the Hawks always had a response. To end the quarter, Flemings found Alexander-Walker on the break for a 3-pointer to give the Hawks an 89-82 lead going into the fourth.
King to Keil 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ghUiBu6O8s
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
The Hawks continued to stay afloat in the fourth, hitting timely shots and getting stops on defense. Wiggins was there when they needed him, and Johnson was also able to get some shots to go, including this dunk in transition.
Jalen Johnson Jam 🚂 pic.twitter.com/Y5B3Q2mnVW
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
Jal3333333nnnnnnn pic.twitter.com/eQU6Zyh13i
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 30, 2026
The Cavaliers had one final run in them, and they made it close with less than a minute remaining. With 20.6 seconds left, the Hawks led by one point, and that’s when the free-throw game came in. Alexander-Walker was able to knock down both to give the Hawks a 3-point lead. From there, all the Hawks needed was a stop on the other end, and they got multiple stops to seal the game in the end.
Okongwu finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds, Alexander-Walker finished with 25 points, and Wiggins finished with 20 points and seven rebounds.
The Hawks will be back in action on Saturday to face the New Orleans Pelicans.
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