Jalen Johnson’s 21 points help Hawks beat Nets 108-97, extending Atlanta’s streak to eight wins
Atlanta strengthens its postseason push with another controlled finish at State Farm Arena
The Atlanta Hawks continued their late-season climb on March 12, defeating the Brooklyn Nets 108-97 at State Farm Arena to secure an eighth consecutive victory. The result moved Atlanta to 35-31 on the season, while Brooklyn fell to 17-49.
Forward Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 21 points and delivered a near triple-double impact line, finishing with nine rebounds and nine assists. Rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher added 19 points and nine rebounds, while guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18. Atlanta’s win came despite modest team shooting efficiency, as the Hawks compensated with volume, rebounding and ball pressure.
How the game tilted: extra possessions and turnover pressure
Brooklyn shot a higher percentage from the field than Atlanta, but Atlanta generated a decisive edge in opportunities. The Hawks finished with 17 offensive rebounds and a 63-43 advantage on the glass overall, a gap that translated into additional possessions throughout the night. Atlanta also forced 20 Brooklyn turnovers while committing 11, shaping the shot and free-throw margin that separated the teams on the scoreboard.
- Final score: Hawks 108, Nets 97
- Rebounding: Atlanta 63, Brooklyn 43
- Turnovers: Brooklyn 20, Atlanta 11
- Offensive rebounds: Atlanta 17, Brooklyn 4
Johnson’s playmaking and Risacher’s two-way minutes
Johnson’s production extended beyond scoring. His nine assists reflected Atlanta’s approach to generating offense through multiple creators, while his rebounding helped anchor the possession battle. Risacher’s line combined perimeter shot-making with activity on the boards, and his defensive work was reflected in Atlanta’s 12 steals and six blocks as a team.
Alexander-Walker contributed at the foul line (6-for-6) and provided perimeter defense, part of a collective effort that limited Brooklyn’s ability to convert giveaways into stable half-court offense, particularly as the game tightened.
What the streak means in the standings race
At 35-31, Atlanta’s eight-game run has positioned the club to contend for improved seeding in a crowded Eastern Conference middle tier. The win over Brooklyn also continued a season pattern in which Atlanta has leaned on defensive disruption and rebounding to supplement nights when shot-making is uneven.
Atlanta’s eight-game winning streak has been built on controlling possessions—through rebounding, forcing turnovers, and getting to the free-throw line often enough to offset shooting variance.
Next considerations
For Atlanta, the challenge now shifts from sustaining momentum to translating it against a broader mix of opponents as the regular season enters its final stretch. For Brooklyn, the defeat reinforced ongoing issues protecting the ball and finishing possessions on the defensive glass—two areas that repeatedly swung close games away from them.