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Basketball Aggregated: Yahoo Sports NBA
6 min read • 8 Nov 2026

Hawks overcome early 17-point deficit to defeat Nets 124-121

By: Top Tipper
Hawks overcome early 17-point deficit to defeat Nets 124-121
Aggregated news from Yahoo Sports NBA Read Original Source ↗

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 7: Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on November 7, 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 Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Saturday night to face the Brooklyn Nets. After coming off a big NBA Cup win against the Washington Wizards the night before, the Hawks were looking to make it four victories in a row for the week. The Nets came into this game after winning their previous game against the Charlotte Hornets.

The good news for the Hawks is that they got Jalen Johnson back after he missed the last three games with an ankle sprain.

As much as it was good news to get one of their frontcourt players back, they lost Onyeka Okongwu on the first play of the game after he was elbowed in the mouth (he returned later in the quarter). That must’ve had an effect on the entire team, because they went down early and fast in the first.

The Nets were making almost every shot they took, while the Hawks struggled to find a basket at times. Johnson was able to get some easy points on his return to the court.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker continued his hot shooting throughout the season, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to keep the Hawks afloat.

Okongwu made a return after a short stint in the locker room and found Aaron Wiggins for this easy layup.

The Nets still managed to keep a double-digit lead heading into the second as the Hawks trailed 37-27.

The Hawks got into more of a rhythm in the second, and they turned defense into offense with the help of Dyson Daniels and Zuby Ejiofor.

It wasn’t long after that Wiggins and Johnson did the same thing, getting the Hawks easy points on the other end.

The Hawks were able to cut their deficit to single digits through the middle of the quarter, but the Nets ran up their lead again. Toward the end of the half, the Hawks started to make a strong run, and it helped them cut their deficit down tremendously.

Flemings use his speed to get this layup.

The Hawks got in transition a lot down the stretch, and Johnson led the way in that category to get them back into the game. Going into halftime, the Hawks trailed 70-66.

The start of the quarter was slow for the Hawks, and they weren’t able to capitalize much on bringing their deficit down before the half. The Nets continued to execute and get easy shots, but it was the second-chance opportunities they created that hurt the Hawks as well.

Johnson got out on the break again for an easy two points.

The Hawks had a lot of chances to cut their lead down, but the shots just weren’t going in. Most of the shots came up short, which may have something to do with playing the night before. Nonetheless, it was their defense that still kept them in the game.

Going into the fourth, the Hawks trailed 95-91.

It was the Wiggins show to start the fourth for the Hawks, as he scored eight straight points.

The Hawks got their deficit down to at least one point several times during their run, but they either weren’t able to score or get a stop to take the lead. That didn’t stop the Hawks from competing, even if they only had one shoe.

Wiggins continued knocking down big shots to keep the Hawks in it.

Alexander-Walker got mixey down the stretch and dropped a Nets defender, and then got this floater to go.

The Hawks kept fighting, and they were eventually able to take the lead with less than two minutes remaining. Seconds later, they were able to turn their defense into offense again to gain a 3-point lead.

It didn’t stop there, and Flemings got a huge block on Michael Porter Jr. that gave the Hawks the ball. On the next possession, Johnson was able to get downhill for an and-one to extend their lead.

The Nets tried to make a last-second effort to get their lead back, but the Hawks were able to execute and walk away with the win.

Johnson finished with 30 points, Wiggins and Alexander-Walker finished with 20 points, and Daniels finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

The Hawks will be back in action on Monday to face the Los Angeles Lakers.

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