De’Andre Hunter delivered a game-high 23 points off the bench, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a commanding 117-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. This win marked the Hawks’ second triumph in as many days over the Eastern Conference leaders, solidifying Atlanta’s dominance in the season series.
Hawks Turn Up the Heat in the Third Quarter
- After a tight first half with Atlanta clinging to a 52-50 lead, the Hawks surged in the third quarter, outscoring Cleveland 39-23 to take control of the game.
- Trae Young contributed a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists, while Jalen Johnson added 20 points as part of a balanced Hawks offense.
Cleveland’s Darius Garland led all scorers with 29 points, and Evan Mobley chipped in 24 points, but the Cavs struggled to overcome a poor shooting night from Donovan Mitchell, who was held to just 12 points.
The Cavs, who started the season with an incredible 15-0 record, have now dropped two straight to Atlanta but still hold the league’s best record at 17-3.
Knicks Edge Hornets in Thrilling Finish
The New York Knicks improved to 3-0 in NBA Cup group play with a hard-fought 99-98 victory over the injury-depleted Charlotte Hornets.
Despite missing five of their top six scorers, including LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, the Hornets pushed New York to the brink.
- Jalen Brunson delivered when it mattered most, scoring 11 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, including two clutch free throws with 8.6 seconds remaining to seal the win.
- Charlotte’s Josh Green hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Knicks’ resilience.
Knicks guard Josh Hart credited the Hornets for their fight:
“When guys are out, and other guys get shots, they go out there and be aggressive because they’ve got nothing to lose. Sometimes that’s the toughest game.”
The Knicks are now tied with the Orlando Magic for the top spot in their group after Orlando routed the Brooklyn Nets 123-100 behind Franz Wagner’s stellar performance of 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Timberwolves Snap Losing Streak
The Minnesota Timberwolves ended their four-game skid with a nail-biting 93-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite an off-night offensively, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 21 points, while their defense suffocated the Clippers down the stretch.
Edwards admitted his struggles but praised the team’s defensive effort:
“Defensively, I think we dominated the game.”
Around the League
- Minnesota’s win halted their slide, keeping them competitive in their group.
- Orlando Magic’s fifth straight win has set up a winner-takes-all clash with the Knicks for the group crown on Tuesday.
Stay tuned for more action as the NBA Cup group stage heats up!
