ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons entered Tuesday night’s matchup as two of the NBA’s hottest teams, each riding significant momentum into the contest.
Atlanta arrived on a five-game winning
streak, finally tapping into the offensive and defensive balance the team has sought since opening night. Detroit, meanwhile, carried the league’s longest active winning streak at 10 games, showcasing consistent execution at both ends of the floor.
Detroit extended that streak with a 120–112 victory, relying on disciplined team play and efficient shooting. The loss halted Atlanta’s rise, which was further complicated by the absence of second year player Zaccharie Risacher, who was sidelined after sustaining a hard fall in the Hawks’ previous game against the Phoenix Suns.
First Half Breakdown
The Pistons set the tone early, winning the opening quarter 33–27 while shooting an impressive 65% from the field. Detroit dominated the paint 18–10, using interior scoring and controlled tempo to build an early advantage. Atlanta closed the quarter with a momentum-lifting moment as Keaton Wallace connected on a 40-foot three-pointer at the buzzer, cutting into Detroit’s lead heading into the second quarter.
Despite the spark, the Pistons continued to build separation. Detroit maintained defensive pressure and offensive flow, steadily extending the margin. A highlight moment for Atlanta came when Dyson Daniels threw down a powerful dunk with 2:38 remaining in the second quarter, trimming the lead to 50–36. Still, the Hawks’ defensive struggles persisted, as they surrendered 67 first-half points, a deficit that proved difficult to overcome.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta in the opening half with 14 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added nine.
Detroit’s Execution
Detroit’s victory can be attributed to a combination of efficient offense and controlled defensive execution. The Pistons shot 43-of-79 (54.4%) overall and minimized turnovers, maintaining steady pressure throughout the night.
Cade Cunningham anchored Detroit’s offense with a near triple-double, recording 21 points, six rebounds, and 10 assists on 8-for-21 shooting. Jalen Duren contributed 18 points, four rebounds, and three assists while converting 8-of-10 attempts from the floor. Daniss Jenkins added 14 points, three rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 6-of-10 and providing reliable secondary playmaking.
Hawks’ Standout Performances
Though the Hawks were unable to erase their first-half deficit, several players delivered strong individual performances. Johnson finished with 25 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 8-of-16 from the field, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 6-of-6 at the line.
Alexander-Walker added 21 points, three rebounds, and three assists, though he struggled from deep, making just 1-of-8 three-pointers. Onyeka Okongwu matched the 21-point mark on efficient 8-of-13 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three.
Off the bench, Mouhamed Gueye delivered one of the night’s most impactful performances, posting 11 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes.
Shooting Struggles and Final Outcome
Atlanta’s primary challenge stemmed from its inconsistent perimeter shooting. The Hawks finished 13-of-40 from three-point range, missing several open attempts that could have cut into Detroit’s lead. Combined with lapses in early defensive execution, the deficit proved insurmountable despite a strong late push.
The Hawks are now 9-6 on year as they will face the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
