NBA: Onyeka Okongwu, rejuvenated Hawks dismantle Trail Blazers

Onyeka Okongwu scored 25 points, including 20 in the first half, to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 135-101 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, extending Atlanta’s winning streak to four games.

The win pushed the Hawks to a .500 record (31-31) for the first time since Dec. 21. Atlanta finished 4-1 on its homestand, split the season series with Portland, and snapped a three-game losing streak against the Blazers.

Okongwu shot 9-for-15 from the field, 7-for-12 on 3-pointers, and added 10 rebounds and six assists for his 15th double-double of the season. Jonathan Kuminga contributed 20 points and seven rebounds, while CJ McCollum scored 19 for Portland.

Atlanta welcomed back two starters who missed the previous game due to injuries. Nickeil Alexander-Walker returned from a sprained ankle to score 15 points, and Jalen Johnson, coming back from a hip flexor issue, battled foul trouble to finish with eight points.

Portland was led by Jrue Holiday’s 23 points and Donovan Clingan, who posted 15 points and 15 rebounds for his 24th double-double of the season. The Hawks dominated the boards, 54-38.

The Trail Blazers have now dropped two straight games and are 1-2 on their five-game road trip. Kris Murray started for Portland but played only 4:20 and did not score before leaving due to a stomach illness.

Okongwu got the Hawks off to a fast start, hitting three 3-pointers and scoring 14 points in the first quarter, helping Atlanta to a 44-25 lead—its second-highest scoring quarter of the season. Holiday kept Portland in the game with 14 first-quarter points.

Atlanta’s lead reached 25 in the second quarter after a 3-pointer by Corey Kispert at 7:40, before Portland cut the gap to 75-58 at halftime following a 12-2 run. The Trail Blazers got within 16 points four times in the third quarter, but the Hawks responded each time, taking a 103-85 lead into the fourth quarter.

—Field Level Media/Reuters