NBA: Jock Landale, in debut with new team, helps Hawks down Jazz

Jock Landale matched his season high with 26 points in his Atlanta debut, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23, including the game-winning basket with 1.3 seconds left, leading the Hawks to a 121-119 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Thursday.

Landale, acquired by Atlanta from the Grizzlies on Wednesday, drove from Memphis to Atlanta for Thursday’s morning shootaround and was in the starting lineup later that day. He shot 10-for-14 from the field, tied his season high with 11 rebounds, matched his career high with five assists, and added a season-best four blocked shots.

With the game tied at 119 after Utah’s Ace Bailey hit a 3-pointer with 10.3 seconds remaining, Alexander-Walker sank the go-ahead shot, which rattled in before falling. Bailey’s contested 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.

Atlanta also got a triple-double from Jalen Johnson, who posted 22 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, his 10th of the season. Corey Kispert came off the bench to score 20 points, helping the Hawks win their second straight game.

Isaiah Collier led Utah with a career-high 25 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists, playing 48 minutes for the second consecutive game. Bailey finished with 20 points after a scoreless first quarter, while Lauri Markkanen and Brice Sensabaugh added 18 points each.

The win gave Atlanta a sweep of the two-game season series and extended their winning streak against Utah to four games.

The first quarter saw five ties and nine lead changes, ending 31-30 in favor of Utah behind Kyle Filipowski’s 10 points. The Jazz took a 12-point lead midway through the second quarter before Atlanta outscored them 18-5 to lead 61-60 at halftime following Alexander-Walker’s late layup.

Atlanta briefly led by five in the third, but Utah regained control with a 10-point quarter from Bailey, taking a 96-92 advantage.

Landale’s performance was key, as starter Onyeka Okongwu missed his fourth game following dental surgery from an earlier elbow injury. Atlanta’s other recent acquisitions—Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Gabe Vincent—had not yet joined the team. The Hawks waived N’Faly Dante and Duop Reath.

Utah was without Keyonte George (left ankle sprain) and Kevin Love (illness), while new additions Chris Boucher, Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr. had not joined the team.

—Field Level Media/Reuters