The Atlanta Hawks put together one of their most competitive road efforts of the season. Still, they couldn’t sustain enough defensive stops or rebounding edge in a 134–117 loss to the Toronto Raptors Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Atlanta overcame early sluggishness with a balanced offensive attack and hot perimeter shooting, yet Toronto’s relentless scoring and superior depth powered the Raptors ahead down the stretch.
The loss drops the Hawks to 17–20 on the season, while the Raptors improved
to 21–15.
Atlanta looked outmatched early as Toronto raced to a double-digit lead in the first half, but the Hawks clawed back behind efficient shooting. Atlanta shot a robust 48% from the field and an impressive 46% from three-point range, keeping the contest within reach — even holding a slim lead at various points in the second quarter.
However, the Raptors turned up the pressure after halftime, shooting 55% from the field overall and out-rebounding Atlanta 44–34, giving them extra possessions that eventually tilted the game. Toronto scored 60 points in the paint.
After trading baskets through three quarters, Toronto made a decisive surge early in the fourth. A string of Raptors’ buckets, sparked by transition scoring and weak-side help defense, opened up the largest lead of the night, forcing Atlanta into quick-tempo possessions that didn’t yield consistent results.
Late in the game, Atlanta’s offense remained potent, but the Raptors’ commanding lead negated any realistic comeback bid. The Hawks only scored 11 points in the last quarter after getting the Raptors’ lead down to one going into the quarter.
Despite the loss, several Hawks players delivered standout nights, such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who paced Atlanta with 31 points, showcasing efficient scoring from both the midrange and beyond the arc.
Jalen Johnson continued his season of growth, finishing with 29 points and seven boards, attacking the basket and creating opportunities in transition. Dyson Daniels orchestrated the Atlanta offense, tallying 12 assists and consistently finding open shooters when the Hawks needed offense.
Vit Krejci was automatic from distance, hitting all his triples and ending with 11 points on perfect three-point shooting. Atlanta’s offense looked sharp in stretches, particularly from beyond the arc, but defensive breakdowns and second-chance points prevented sustained momentum.
