Hawks Erupt for 44 First-Quarter Points in Dominant 135-101 Rout of Trail Blazers
The Atlanta Hawks didn’t ease into Sunday night’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. They attacked it.
From the opening tip at State Farm Arena, the Hawks were locked in, focused, and firing on all cylinders. By the time the first quarter buzzer sounded, Atlanta had buried Portland under a 44-25 avalanche — a new season high for points in a single quarter.
Final score: Hawks 135, Trail Blazers 101.
Okongwu Leads the Way With Career-Best Performance
Onyeka Okongwu was the engine behind Atlanta’s offensive explosion. The 25-year-old center finished with a game-high 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting an absurd 7-of-12 from three-point range. It was the kind of performance that makes you sit up straight and take notice.
He wasn’t doing it alone, either. CJ McCollum, now in Hawks red, chipped in 19 points and five assists, looking more comfortable by the day in Atlanta’s system. And Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 15 off a crisp, efficient 5-of-9 shooting night.
Kuminga Steals the Show With Jaw-Dropping Windmill
If Okongwu was the engine, Jonathan Kuminga was the moment everyone will be talking about on Monday morning.
The former Golden State Warrior, traded to Atlanta just weeks ago, put on a show in his third game with his new squad. He finished with 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench — but it was a thunderous windmill dunk late in the fourth quarter that brought the State Farm Arena crowd to its feet. Pure electricity. The kind of play that ends up on every highlight reel from here to Portland.
It’s hard to believe this is the same player who was barely getting minutes in San Francisco. With Atlanta, Kuminga looks liberated. He’s averaging 21.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in three games as a Hawk. The fit is real.
Hawks Reach .500 for First Time Since December
This win meant something beyond the box score. With the victory, Atlanta improved to 31-31 — reaching .500 for the first time since December 23. They’ve now won four straight games, doing so by an average margin of 26.5 points. That’s not just winning. That’s a statement.
The Hawks also climbed to ninth place in the Eastern Conference, putting themselves firmly in the playoff picture with the second half of the season still unfolding.
The numbers behind the win were staggering. Atlanta shot 55% from the field, outrebounded Portland 54-38, and dished out 36 assists to Portland’s 23. From the jump, the Hawks imposed their will.
Portland Couldn’t Survive Without Avdija
The Blazers walked into Atlanta shorthanded. Deni Avdija — their leading scorer and first-time All-Star — missed his fourth straight game nursing a lower back injury. His absence left a gaping hole in Portland’s offense, and the Hawks made them pay for every second of it.
Jrue Holiday did his best to keep the Blazers relevant, pouring in 23 points. Donovan Clingan had an impressive double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. But Portland could never close the gap that Atlanta opened wide in those first 12 minutes. The lead never dipped below 15 points for the remainder of the night.
Something is building in Atlanta right now. A team that looked shaky and uncertain through stretches of the early season is starting to find its footing. The ball movement is sharp. The energy is contagious. And newcomers like Kuminga are slotting in as if they’ve been there for years.
Next up, the Hawks head to Milwaukee on Wednesday to face the Bucks. After a homestand like this one, they’ll make that trip with serious momentum — and something even more valuable: belief.
