Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit a short jumper with 1.3 seconds remaining to give the Atlanta Hawks a 121-119 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at State Farm Arena. The result moved Atlanta to 26-27 in the Eastern Conference standings, while Utah fell to 16-36 after dropping 17 of its last 21 games.
Alexander-Walker finished with 23 points and five assists, delivering the final shot after rookie Ace Bailey tied the game with a three-pointer nine seconds earlier. The decisive possession followed a late stretch defined by half-court execution and matchup hunting by Atlanta’s guards.
Jalen Johnson posted his third consecutive triple-double, recording 22 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. It marked his 10th triple-double of the season, second in the league behind Nikola Jokic, and highlighted his role as a primary initiator in transition and in pick-and-roll actions.
Newly acquired center Jock Landale added a season-high 26 points while starting in place of injured Onyeka Okongwu, who missed his fourth straight game with a dental fracture. Landale made five three-pointers, blocked four shots and handed out five assists, spacing the floor and opening driving lanes for Atlanta’s perimeter scorers.
Corey Kispert contributed 20 points, his highest total since arriving in the Trae Young trade 12 games ago, providing scoring stability with efficient off-ball movement. Atlanta shot 49% from the field and outrebounded Utah 50-49, using second-chance opportunities to offset a 23% night from beyond the arc.
Utah received 25 points and 11 assists from Isaiah Collier, who played all 48 minutes for the second consecutive game. Kyle Filipowski added 15 points and 17 rebounds, controlling stretches on the glass despite the loss.
Bailey scored 20 points and delivered the late tying three, while Lauri Markkanen and Brice Sensabaugh each added 18 points. The Jazz operated with an eight-man rotation as they awaited recently acquired players, including Jaren Jackson Jr., and continued to miss Keyonte George due to a left ankle sprain.
The visitors shot 47% overall and 40% from three-point range but struggled to generate stops during critical stretches in the fourth quarter. Atlanta’s ball movement produced 34 assists, helping the home side create high-percentage looks inside the paint and at the rim.
Dyson Daniels added 11 points and six assists, supporting Johnson’s playmaking duties and helping control tempo against a Jazz lineup relying heavily on young guards. Defensive activity from Landale and Johnson limited second-chance scoring late, allowing Atlanta to close the game despite Utah’s late push.
Utah travels to Orlando on Saturday night, while the Hawks remain at home to face Charlotte as they continue to chase positioning near the play-in line in the East.
