Field Level Media
02 Apr 2026, 07:35 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 32 points and Jalen Johnson flirted with a triple-double as the Atlanta Hawks crushed the host Orlando Magic 130-101 on Wednesday.
Alexander-Walker hit 11 of 16 from the floor and 5 of 9 from 3-point range as Atlanta (44-33) won its third straight and 18th of 21 since the All-Star break to consolidate fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
Johnson compiled 18 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Atlanta's Onyeka Okongwu added 16 points, and Dyson Daniels paired 15 points with 13 boards.
Jamal Cain scored 17 points off the bench for the Magic (40-36), who were outscored 105-73 after the first quarter while losing for the eighth time in 10 games.
Desmond Bane and Wendell Carter Jr. added 14 points each. Franz Wagner contributed 12 points in his return following a 22-game absence caused by a high ankle sprain.
Orlando started promisingly, opening up a 25-18 break on a Tristan da Silva-to-Goga Bitadze alley-oop dunk, and the Magic led 28-25 after one quarter.
The Hawks edged in front 44-42 before blowing the contest open by scoring the next 17 points.
Alexander-Walker scored 17 for the period, during which Atlanta shot 17 of 24 while committing just one turnover.
After dominating the quarter 47-26, the Hawks led 72-54 at halftime.
The one-way nature continued as Atlanta scored the first seven points of the third frame. The Hawks' 17-4 start to the quarter boosted the advantage to 89-58 after an Okongwu 3-pointer.
The ice-cold Magic hit just one of their first 20 3-point attempts, but they saved some face on the defensive end later in the third, forcing seven turnovers for the quarter and reducing the deficit to 102-76 with one to play.
Tempers flared with 7:30 remaining in the fourth period -- and Atlanta up 110-89 -- when Hawks center Jock Landale hurt his right ankle after being thrown to the ground by Bitadze.
Daniels charged in and shoved Bitadze in retaliation before the Australian was dragged to the floor by referee Tre Maddox, who was attempting to separate the teams.
Daniels earned a technical foul while Bitadze was ejected from the contest. Landale hit one of the two ensuing free throws, then headed for the locker room.
The margin blew back out to 31 points again -- 130-99 -- as both teams emptied their benches.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of San Jose Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to San Jose Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images) A year after making a late run to claim a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the...
(Photo credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images) Last season, the Boston Bruins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-2016....
(Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images) Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 32 points and Jalen Johnson flirted with a triple-double...
(Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) Paul George set a career high in a Sixers uniform with 39 points and visiting Philadelphia,...
(Photo credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images) Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua checked into a rehabilitation facility last month,...
(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Chicago Bears team president and CEO Kevin Warren expressed optimism about an impending...
LONDON, U.K.: Unilever is combining its food business with spice maker McCormick in a deal valued at about US$65 billion, marking one...
NEW YORK, New York - American stock markets closed higher on Wednesday, with technology shares powering the Nasdaq Composite to a standout...
LONDON, U.K.: Mortgage approvals in Britain rose more than expected in February, while consumer borrowing also picked up, pointing...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Morgan Stanley has downgraded global equities and shifted toward safer assets, citing rising uncertainty from...
LONDON/BERLIN/MILAN: Luxury carmakers are bracing for a hit to one of their most profitable markets as the war in Iran disrupts demand...
HONG KONG: Chinese automaker BYD said on March 27 that its annual sales rose to a record US$116 billion, outpacing Tesla's, but its...
