NBA: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, surging Hawks race past Magic

The Atlanta Hawks delivered a dominant performance on Wednesday night, rolling past the Orlando Magic 130-101 on the road behind a standout effort from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Alexander-Walker poured in a game-high 32 points on an efficient 11-of-16 shooting, including five 3-pointers, to lead Atlanta (44-33) to its third straight victory. The win also marked the Hawks’ 18th in their last 21 games since the All-Star break, strengthening their hold on fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Jalen Johnson came close to a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists, while Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points. Dyson Daniels chipped in with 15 points and 13 rebounds as Atlanta showcased its depth and balance.

Orlando (40-36) got off to a strong start, leading 28-25 after the first quarter, highlighted by an alley-oop connection from Tristan da Silva to Goga Bitadze. However, the momentum quickly shifted in the second period.

The Hawks took control midway through the second quarter, turning a slim deficit into a commanding lead with a decisive 17-0 run. Alexander-Walker spearheaded the surge, scoring 17 points in the quarter as Atlanta shot a blistering 17-of-24 from the field. The Hawks outscored the Magic 47-26 in the period to take a 72-54 lead into halftime.

Atlanta continued to dominate after the break, opening the third quarter with a 17-4 run to extend the lead to 89-58 following an Okongwu 3-pointer. Orlando struggled from beyond the arc, missing 19 of its first 20 attempts, which hindered any comeback hopes.

Jamal Cain led the Magic with 17 points off the bench, while Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. each added 14 points. Franz Wagner contributed 12 points in his return from a lengthy absence due to a high ankle sprain.

Tensions flared in the fourth quarter when Atlanta center Jock Landale injured his right ankle after a hard fall involving Bitadze. Daniels stepped in and shoved Bitadze, sparking a brief altercation that required officials to intervene. Daniels was assessed a technical foul, while Bitadze was ejected from the game.

Landale made one of two free throws before exiting to the locker room, and the Hawks maintained full control the rest of the way. The lead ballooned to as many as 31 points late in the game as both teams emptied their benches.

With the loss, Orlando has now dropped eight of its last 10 games, continuing a late-season slide. -Field Level Media/Reuters