Editor’s note: This is the first post from new Peachtree Hoops contributor Byron Terry. We’re excited to have him on the staff and help with our coverage of the Atlanta Hawks.
The Atlanta Hawks took on the Phoenix Suns at State Farm Arena on Friday night. The game was a close one for both teams, as Atlanta was down 91-84 in the third quarter, but the Hawks were able to rally back and get the victory 110-103. Atlanta is now 2-0 against Phoenix this season. The Hawks increased their record to 22-25, and one of the major factors in the win was forward Jalen Johnson’s play.
Jalen Johnson’s Major Game vs. Suns
Against the Suns on 1/23/2026, Jalen Johnson had a very productive performance, scoring 23 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, and dishing nine assists. Johnson was able to create space against defenders on the perimeter and had good shot selection. Johnson was also 55.6% from the field. His +/- for the contest was +15, displaying how efficient he was with the basketball. He was second in scoring behind Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu, who had 25 points.
But Johnson didn’t just show his scoring talents — he also recorded nine assists and led his team in that category. Johnson would get the ball on the wing and perimeter, and defenders would try to close out on him to prevent a shot, but that left players open on different instances, and they were able to make the shots after getting the ball from Johnson. Johnson drew a lot of attention with the way he was playing which led to opportunities for other Hawks’ players. Ahead of this bout, Atlanta was leading the NBA with 30.1 assists per game, and this game showed why, as that was a focal point in their play style.
Johnson also had 18 rebounds, which was a career high, leading the team. 15 of which were on defense, and he was all over the floor on both offense and defense. Those defensive rebounds were able to keep the Suns off the board and halt their scoring ability, which also helped the Hawks come back in the third and fourth quarters.
What’s Next For Atlanta?
The Atlanta Hawks will take on the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at home in their next game. Indiana is 11-35 with a recent 117-114 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both the Hawks and Pacers won their most recent games, and the Eastern Conference matchup will be one to note on Monday.
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