Jalen Johnson Powers Hawks to Gritty 124-122 Win Over Grizzlies, Snapping Four-Game Skid

In a season that has often felt like an uphill battle, the Atlanta Hawks desperately needed a night where the ball bounced their way. On Wednesday night inside a raucous FedExForum, they didn’t just get lucky—they forged their own path, leaning on a career-defining performance from Jalen Johnson to snap a frustrating four-game losing streak with a nail-biting 124-122 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

It wasn’t a wire-to-wire clinic, nor was it a defensive masterpiece. It was a dogfight. With 21 lead changes and 14 ties, this game was played in the mud, and for the first time in over a week, the Hawks were the ones left standing when the final buzzer sounded.

Jalen Johnson emerges as the closer for the Hawks

While the headlines often gravitate toward guard play in the modern NBA, it was the Hawks’ versatile forward Jalen Johnson who put the team on his back. Johnson was a force of nature on Wednesday, pouring in 32 points and ripping down 15 rebounds. But it wasn’t just the box score stuffing that stood out; it was his timing.

With the game hanging in the balance and the Memphis crowd roaring, trying to fuel a late comeback, Johnson remained the calmest person in the building. He knocked down a crucial basket in the lane with just 40 seconds remaining, extending the lead when the offense looked like it might stall. Johnson’s ability to attack the rim and get to the free-throw line (hitting 10-of-11 from the stripe) provided the stabilizing force Atlanta has been missing during their recent slide.

Kennard’s “Revenge Game” sparks the Hawks’ offense

There is always an extra layer of emotion when a player returns to his old stomping grounds. For Luke Kennard, a former sharpshooter for the Grizzlies, Wednesday was a reminder of just how deadly he can be when left open.

Kennard was unconscious early, starting the game a perfect 6-for-6 from the field. He finished with 18 points, including four makes from deep, providing the floor spacing the Hawks needed to open up driving lanes for Johnson and Dyson Daniels. His hot start—16 points in the first half alone—was the catalyst that allowed Atlanta to take a 66-59 lead into the locker room. In a game decided by a single bucket, Kennard’s early flurry was the difference-maker.

Onyeka Okongwu also chipped in with a vital 18 points off the bench, proving that the Hawks have the depth to compete when the rotation is clicking.

Surviving the Ja Morant storm

You can never truly relax against Memphis as long as Ja Morant is on the floor. The electric guard did everything he could to steal this one from the Hawks, finishing with 23 points and 12 assists. He was orchestrating the offense, finding shooters like Cedric Coward (17 points) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (17 points), and seemingly getting into the paint at will.

The fourth quarter was a masterclass in tension. The Grizzlies, trailing 110-108 midway through the period, looked poised to take over. But the Hawks responded with a gutsy 8-0 run, capped by free throws from Johnson, to give themselves breathing room.

However, Memphis wouldn’t go away. A 3-pointer from Coward cut the Hawks’ lead to a terrifying 122-121 with just over a minute left. After Johnson’s clutch bucket pushed it back to three, the game came down to one final possession.

With the clock ticking down, the ball was in Morant’s hands—a nightmare scenario for any defense. He launched a 3-pointer at the horn that would have won the game, but it clanged off the iron. The collective exhale from the Hawks bench was palpable. They had survived.

What’s next for the Atlanta Hawks?

This win does more than just add a tally to the left side of the standings; it serves as a-proof of concept for a Hawks team trying to find consistency. Winning on the road against a Western Conference opponent, especially one as gritty as Memphis, shows resilience.

The Hawks (21-25) don’t have much time to celebrate, however. They head back home to host the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. But for at least one flight home, the mood will be significantly lighter. They weathered the storm, they made the big plays, and most importantly, they finished the job.