The Atlanta Hawks continued their late-season surge in emphatic fashion Monday night, riding a historic performance from Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a 124-112 victory over the Orlando Magic.
Alexander-Walker delivered the game of his career, pouring in a career-high 41 points and setting the tone early as Atlanta extended its winning streak to 10 games. The Hawks improved to 38-31 on the season, reclaiming eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings while halting Orlando’s seven-game win streak.
From the opening tip, Alexander-Walker was aggressive and efficient, scoring 24 points in the first half alone. His offensive explosion powered Atlanta to a commanding 67-50 lead at the break, putting the Magic on their heels early. The 41-point outing surpassed his previous career-best of 38, which came earlier this season against San Antonio.
While Alexander-Walker led the scoring charge, Jalen Johnson delivered a masterclass in all-around play. The versatile forward recorded his 13th triple-double of the season—and second straight—finishing with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists. Johnson’s ability to control the pace and facilitate the offense kept Atlanta in rhythm throughout the night.
Atlanta wasted no time putting the game out of reach after halftime. The Hawks erupted for 23 points in just over five minutes to open the third quarter, stretching their advantage to 29 points. They closed the period with 37 total points and carried a 104-83 lead into the fourth quarter, showcasing their offensive depth and relentless tempo.
Additional contributions came from Dyson Daniels, who added 15 points and 12 rebounds in a strong two-way effort. Jonathan Kuminga, appearing in just his fifth game with Atlanta since his February arrival while managing a bone bruise, chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.
The Magic made a late push, trimming the deficit to 12 with just under four minutes remaining, but could not complete the comeback. Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Desmond Bane also scored 18 points.
Orlando was shorthanded, missing key contributors including Anthony Black (abdominal strain), Jonathan Isaac (knee sprain), and Franz Wagner (ankle injury management), which limited their ability to match Atlanta’s firepower.
With the win, the Hawks continue to build momentum at a critical point in the season, surging up the standings as the playoff race tightens in the East.
Orlando returns home to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, while Atlanta hits the road to face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, looking to extend its red-hot streak even further.
