The Portland Trail Blazers secured a decisive 117-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks at home on Thursday night, marking a needed return to the win column. The game was tightly contested for much of the first half and well into the third quarter before the Blazers managed to pull away for a double-digit win.
Leading the charge for Portland was Shaedon Sharpe, who scored 24 points, showcasing his scoring prowess early on. Jerami Grant contributed 16 points, while four other Blazers joined them in double digits, highlighting a well-rounded scoring effort.
On the opposing side, Onyeka Okonwu led the Hawks with 26 points, supported by CJ McCollum, who made a strong return to Portland with 20 points in his first game back since being traded to Atlanta from the Washington Wizards.
Sharpe’s early performance was particularly notable; he opened the game with 12 points in the first quarter, shooting 5-6 from the field, and went into halftime with 18 points. Although he added only six points in the second half, his initial impact laid the groundwork for the Blazers.
As the game progressed, Portland found themselves trailing late but shifted momentum dramatically in the late third quarter. A lineup including Grant, Robert Williams III, Rayan Rupert, and Duop Reath helped orchestrate a turnaround, allowing the Blazers to outscore Atlanta with two impressive runs of 17-4 and 12-0. This surge propelled them from a deficit of 77-68 to a commanding 103-89 lead in under eight minutes of play. Notably, Rupert capped off the third quarter with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, energizing the crowd and the team.
Although Portland shot just 45% from the field and 30% from three-point range, they made up for it by securing extra opportunities. The Blazers dominated the offensive boards, claiming 16 rebounds compared to Atlanta’s 7, and also capitalized on turnovers, outscoring the Hawks 28-12 in points off turnovers. These additional possessions were crucial in maintaining their lead in the closing stages of the game.
Defensively, the Blazers executed an effective game plan against Jalen Johnson, who had been enjoying a standout season averaging over 23 points per game. While he managed 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, he struggled to find his rhythm, taking only nine shots and committing six turnovers, a testament to Portland’s relentless defensive effort.
CJ McCollum’s return to Portland was welcomed warmly by fans, who cheered as he entered the game. Although his performance wasn’t exceptional, the 20 points he scored provided a much-needed boost for the Hawks in the first half.
Looking ahead, the Blazers will remain in Portland to face off against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. PST, with hopes of building on their momentum from this victory.