Tough night in Hollywood. That basically sums up what went down on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when the Atlanta Hawks ran into a motivated Los Angeles Lakers squad at Crypto.com Arena. The final Atlanta Hawks basketball game score of 141-116 wasn't just a loss; it was a loud reminder of how quickly things can swing in the NBA.
The Hawks walked into the building feeling pretty good about themselves. They had snagged wins against Denver and Golden State to start their West Coast trip. But then, LeBron James and Luka Doncic decided they weren't having it.
The Breakdown: How 141-116 Happened
The first quarter was actually competitive. Atlanta led 24-19 at one point before the Lakers flipped the script with a quick 10-0 run. By the end of the first, it was 37-30. Not great, but manageable.
Then the second quarter happened.
Luka Doncic, who has been leading the league in first-half scoring, absolutely torched the Hawks’ perimeter defense. He hit three straight triples during a 17-0 Lakers surge that basically broke the game open. Atlanta went into the locker room trailing 81-60.
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Giving up 81 points in a half is... well, it’s a lot. Honestly, it’s nearly impossible to win when you're digging that kind of hole.
Top Performers in a Rough Outing
Even in a blowout, some guys showed up. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the way for Atlanta with 26 points. He’s been a bright spot since the big trade that sent Trae Young to Washington.
CJ McCollum, also part of that Washington deal, chipped in 25. He was aggressive, but the Lakers' length at the rim—led by Deandre Ayton—made life miserable for everyone else.
On the Lakers' side? LeBron was just absurd. 31 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. He almost had the triple-double, but he sat out most of the fourth because the lead was so huge. Luka added 27 and 12 assists.
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The Score of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Game and the Standings
This loss drops the Hawks to a 20-22 record. It’s frustrating because they were finally building some momentum. Right now, they sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference, about two games behind the Miami Heat for that 8th spot.
Being in the Play-In tournament zone is a stressful place to be. One night you look like world-beaters against Steph Curry, and the next you're down 30 in LA.
Defensive Woes Continue
The Hawks are currently 8th in the league in scoring, putting up 118.3 points per game. That’s elite. The problem? They’re giving up 118.9.
You can't trade baskets forever. Quin Snyder has been trying to get this group to buy into a more disciplined defensive rotation, but without Zaccharie Risacher (out with a knee injury) and Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles), the frontcourt is thin. Onyeka Okongwu is fighting, but he can't be everywhere at once.
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What's Next for the Hawks?
The road trip isn't over. They have to fly up to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Thursday, January 15. After that, it’s back home for a brutal stretch against the Celtics and Bucks.
If you're looking for a silver lining, it’s the bench. Corey Kispert has been a knockdown shooter since arriving in the trade, and Mouhamed Gueye is showing some real defensive versatility, even picking up 5 steals in the Lakers game.
Actionable Insights for Hawks Fans
- Watch the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on Risacher and Porzingis. The Hawks desperately need their size and rim protection to avoid another 141-point disaster.
- Monitor the Play-In Race: The gap between 7th and 10th in the East is razor-thin. Every game against teams like Chicago or Indiana (who they play later this month) is basically a playoff game.
- Rotation Adjustments: Expect Quin Snyder to experiment more with the Alexander-Walker and McCollum backcourt. They’ve shown they can score, but finding a way to stop opposing guards from getting to the paint is the priority.
The Atlanta Hawks basketball game score against the Lakers was a reality check. They have the offensive firepower to compete with anyone, but until they find a way to string together stops in the second and third quarters, they’ll be fighting uphill in the Eastern Conference.
Next Steps for Following the Hawks:
Check the official NBA injury report two hours before the Portland tip-off to see if Risacher is upgraded to "Questionable." If he plays, the defensive dynamic on the wing changes immediately. Also, track the Miami Heat scores this week, as their performance directly impacts Atlanta's chances of climbing out of the 9th seed.