Hawks rout Mavs 135-111 behind Johnson’s double-double

A Dominant Road Performance

The Atlanta Hawks delivered a comprehensive victory over the Dallas Mavericks, winning 135-111 on Friday at American Airlines Center. The visiting team controlled the contest from the opening tip, establishing an early lead that they would never relinquish despite a second-half push by the home crowd.

First Quarter Surge Sets Tone

Atlanta’s offense was particularly efficient in the opening period, outscoring Dallas 39-34. The Hawks jumped out to quick leads multiple times, aided by sharpshooting and timely free throws. Jalen Johnson contributed significantly early, hitting a running jump shot and several free throws to help build momentum.

By the end of the first quarter, Atlanta held a double-digit advantage at 39-28 before Dallas tightened its defense slightly, though they could not fully stem the offensive flow.

Second Quarter Expansion

The second quarter saw Atlanta extend its dominance, holding Dallas to just 20 points while scoring 34 of their own. This decisive stretch pushed the lead well into double digits, effectively putting the game out of reach for the home team. Jock Landale was active from beyond the arc, hitting multiple three-pointers and adding free throws to keep the pressure on.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker also began to accumulate points, setting the stage for his later offensive explosion.

Closing Out the Game

While Dallas managed to win the second half 57-62 (24-29 in the third and 33-33 in the fourth), they could not overcome the deficit built in the first two periods. Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 26 points and 12 rebounds, showing resilience with multiple drives to the basket and free throws.

Kyrie Irving facilitated the offense with 5 assists but struggled to find consistent scoring rhythm against Atlanta’s perimeter defense.

For Atlanta, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the primary offensive threat, finishing with 25 points. Jalen Johnson controlled the glass with 14 rebounds and contributed efficiently on both ends. Kingston Flemings orchestrated the offense for the Hawks, dishing out 6 assists to keep the ball moving. The victory improved Atlanta’s record to 4-1, while Dallas fell to 1-3 on the season.

Sources

ESPN