In a seesaw battle marked by 14 ties and 21 lead changes, Jalen Johnson’s all-around brilliance carried the Atlanta Hawks past the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jalen Johnson flirted with a triple-double as the Atlanta Hawks snapped a four-game skid with a 124-122 nail-biter over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, January 22 (PH time).
Johnson finished with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, anchoring a game that featured 14 ties and 21 lead changes.
Trailing 108-110, the Hawks unleashed a quick 8-0 spurt to take a 116-110 lead with 3:57 remaining in regulation.
Memphis had a chance to cut it to a single possession at 124-122, but Jock Landale missed two crucial free throws, and Jaren Jackson Jr. could only split his attempts to make it 124-123.
After Johnson missed a jumper, Memphis had one final chance, but Ja Morant’s three-pointer rimmed out, sealing Atlanta’s escape.
Luke Kennard and Onyeka Okongwu each contributed 18 points, helping the Hawks improve to 21-25.
For Memphis, Morant posted a double-double of 23 points and 12 assists, while Jaylen Wells added 18 points and Cedric Coward and Jackson Jr. chipped in 17 apiece.
The Grizzlies slipped to 19-23.
Up next, the Hawks face the Phoenix Suns (27-17), while Memphis takes on the New Orleans Pelicans (10-35).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.