The Atlanta Hawks just ran into a buzzsaw in Los Angeles. Honestly, if you only checked the Atlanta Hawks game score this morning and saw that 141-116 final, you might think the team just didn't show up. It's a bit more complicated than that.
Playing at Crypto.com Arena is never easy, especially when LeBron James decides he’s not ready to act his age. The Lakers snapped a three-game losing streak by essentially turning the game into a track meet that Atlanta couldn't keep up with.
The Numbers Behind the Atlanta Hawks Game Score
The Lakers jumped out to a massive lead early. We’re talking about an 81-60 halftime score. That’s not a typo; the Hawks gave up 81 points in just two quarters. LeBron James finished with 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists—barely missing a triple-double. Luka Doncic, who the Lakers famously traded for back in February 2025, added 27 points and 12 assists.
Atlanta didn't have their full arsenal. Kristaps Porzingis was out with an Achilles issue, and Zaccharie Risacher sat with a knee injury. Without that rim protection and length, the Hawks' defense looked kind of lost.
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Who Actually Showed Up for Atlanta?
Even in a blowout, there were some bright spots. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the way for the Hawks with 26 points. He’s been a massive pickup since the Trae Young trade. CJ McCollum, the other piece of that blockbuster deal with Washington, chipped in 25.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 26 points, 5 threes.
- CJ McCollum: 25 points, veteran leadership in a tough environment.
- Corey Kispert: 19 points off the bench.
- Jalen Johnson: 13 points, 6 assists, though he struggled with a 5-of-17 shooting night.
The bench effort from Corey Kispert was notable. He’s starting to find his rhythm in Quin Snyder's system. But when your starting frontcourt of Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu combines to shoot 8-for-25, winning on the road is basically impossible.
Why the Defensive Collapse Happened
The Lakers hit 19 three-pointers. 19! For a team that went 8-for-36 in their previous game against Sacramento, this was a massive "get right" night for them.
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Atlanta’s perimeter defense has been a roller coaster all season. They're currently 9th in the East with a 20-22 record. It’s a transition year. Trading Trae Young was a franchise-altering move, and while the depth is better, the star power at the top isn't quite the same yet.
Transition Defense Woes
Atlanta usually excels in the fast break. They actually rank second in the NBA in fast-break points, averaging about 17.7 per game. But against LA, they were the ones getting run out of the building.
The Lakers used a 17-0 run in the second quarter to effectively end the game. Luka Doncic hit three straight triples during that stretch. Once the lead hit 30 in the third quarter, Snyder started looking toward the bench.
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Looking Ahead: Can the Hawks Bounce Back?
This loss ends a modest two-game winning streak for the Hawks. They had just beaten Denver and Golden State on the road, which makes this blowout feel even more like a "scheduled loss" at the end of a grueling West Coast trip.
The road doesn't get much easier. They head to Portland on Thursday to face the Trail Blazers. Portland hasn't been great, but after a 25-point loss in LA, the Hawks' legs are going to be heavy.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Atlanta Hawks game score trends, keep an eye on the injury report. This team is fundamentally different when Porzingis is on the floor. He provides the spacing and the shot-blocking that allows Jalen Johnson to operate in the midrange.
- Monitor Porzingis: His Achilles injury is the biggest hurdle for the team right now.
- Watch the New Guys: Alexander-Walker and McCollum are carrying the scoring load.
- Defense, Defense, Defense: Allowing 141 points is inexcusable, even against LeBron and Luka.
The Hawks are currently in the play-in mix. If they want to secure a top-six seed, they have to figure out how to stop the bleeding when teams start hitting shots from deep. Honestly, the 2025-26 season has been a bit of a whirlwind for Atlanta fans, but the growth of the young core is still the story to watch.
Next steps for following the team involve checking the status of Zaccharie Risacher before the Portland game. If he and Porzingis remain out, expect more high-scoring affairs where Atlanta struggles to find stops. You can also track the Eastern Conference standings, as the gap between the 7th and 10th seeds is currently only two games.