NBA: Hawks win 11th in a row, extend Mavericks' home skid

Powered by 24 points from CJ McCollum and 22 from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the visiting Atlanta Hawks soared to their 11th straight win, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 135-120 on Wednesday night.

Atlanta's win streak is now tied for the third-longest by any NBA team this season and marks the Hawks' longest streak since they won a franchise-record 19 in a row during the 2014-15 season.

Dyson Daniels contributed 19 points, while Jalen Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.

Dallas (23-47) suffered its 10th straight home loss, struggling with 19 turnovers and never taking the lead. The Mavericks were paced by Daniel Gafford, who scored 24 points off the bench on 9-of-10 shooting. P.J. Washington added 23 points, and Cooper Flagg finished with 17 points but led the team with six turnovers.

Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu scored the first 10 points of the game, including two 3-pointers, giving the Hawks an early boost. Dallas briefly cut the lead to two in the first quarter, but Atlanta closed the quarter ahead 37-30.

The Hawks opened the second quarter with a 7-0 run, featuring a three-pointer from Jock Landale and a fadeaway from Jonathan Kuminga. Atlanta maintained a double-digit lead and went into halftime up 67-56.

McCollum started the second half with a three-point play, and Dallas never mounted a serious comeback. The third quarter highlight came from Kuminga, who turned a long rebound into an improbable 75-foot basket. Kuminga finished with 16 points in 18 minutes off the bench.

Atlanta led by as many as 21 points and held the advantage throughout the fourth quarter.

The Hawks, along with the Miami Heat, are a half-game behind the Orlando Magic for the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference.

-Field Level Media/Reuters