Atlanta’s bench surge and balanced attack overwhelm Golden State despite Curry’s 31-point effort
SAN FRANCISCO — The Atlanta Hawks delivered a resounding message Sunday night at Chase Center, dismantling the Golden State Warriors 124-111 behind a balanced offensive attack that saw six players reach double figures. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the charge with 24 points, orchestrating a performance that extended Atlanta’s winning streak to three games and left the Warriors searching for answers.
The victory marked a significant road triumph for the Hawks, who showcased the depth and versatility that has become their calling card this season. While Stephen Curry poured in 31 points for his 13th 30-point performance of the campaign, Golden State’s efforts fell short against an Atlanta squad firing on all cylinders.
Alexander-Walker’s Closing Surge Sets the Tone
The momentum-shifting sequence arrived in the waning moments of the first half when Alexander-Walker seized control. The guard erupted for eight consecutive points over the final 1:14, punctuated by back-to-back 3-pointers in the closing minute that sent Atlanta into halftime with a 59-53 advantage. That late-half flurry proved devastating for Golden State, which struggled mightily from beyond the arc, converting just 5 of 19 attempts through the opening two quarters.
CJ McCollum added an exclamation point with a jumper at the halftime buzzer, capping a first-half performance that exposed Golden State’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Warriors found themselves outmaneuvered by Atlanta’s crisp ball movement and timely shot-making, unable to generate the defensive stops necessary to stem the tide.
Johnson and Kennard Deliver Crucial Contributions
Jalen Johnson provided the Hawks with a complete performance, registering 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a display of all-around excellence. His versatility on both ends created matchup problems for Golden State throughout the evening, as he consistently found ways to impact winning beyond the box score.
Luke Kennard emerged as the game’s most pleasant surprise, torching the Warriors for a season-high 22 points off the bench. The sharpshooter connected on six 3-pointers, providing the perimeter firepower Atlanta needed to maintain separation during critical stretches. His ability to space the floor and punish Golden State’s defensive rotations proved invaluable in the Hawks’ offensive scheme.
Butler’s Strong Performance Not Enough for Warriors
Jimmy Butler, in his fourth game with Golden State, delivered another impressive outing with 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists. By halftime, he had already accumulated 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, marking the third time in his last four games reaching the 20-point threshold. This performance represented Butler’s fourth 30-point showing since joining the Warriors.
The Butler-Curry tandem has now combined for 30-plus points twice this season, though Golden State holds a troubling 0-2 record in such games, having previously fallen to Orlando on Nov. 18. Despite the individual brilliance, the Warriors couldn’t translate their star power into team success.
Warriors’ Third-Quarter Rally Falls Short
Golden State mounted a spirited comeback attempt in the third quarter after Dyson Daniels’ layup gave Atlanta a commanding 70-58 advantage at the 8:47 mark. The Warriors responded with a 10-0 run that briefly threatened to swing momentum, but they couldn’t sustain the intensity necessary to complete the comeback.
The home team started strong, converting 5 of 6 shots to jump ahead 14-4 early, with Curry accounting for seven of those points. However, Atlanta weathered the initial storm and settled into a rhythm that ultimately proved too consistent for Golden State to overcome.
Draymond Green’s 3-point shooting woes continued, as he failed to extend his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to three. Green had connected from distance in two straight games but has never achieved the feat in three consecutive contests throughout his career.
Historic Milestone Amid the Loss
Despite the defeat, Curry reached a notable personal milestone. Combined with his father Dell’s career total, the Curry family now ranks second among father-son duos in NBA history with points scored, surpassing Joe and Kobe Bryant’s 38,895. LeBron and Bronny James hold the top spot with 42,692 combined points.
The Hawks continue their four-game West Coast swing Tuesday night against the Lakers in Los Angeles, while Golden State returns to action at Chase Center against Portland on Tuesday, seeking to end a skid that has now seen their three-game home winning streak snapped.
Atlanta’s victory underscored the importance of roster depth in the modern NBA, with contributions flowing from throughout the rotation rather than relying solely on star power—a lesson Golden State learned the hard way.
Source: ESPN
