If you woke up this morning wondering who won the Atlanta game last night, you probably saw a score that looked more like a typo than a professional basketball game. The Atlanta Hawks went into Crypto.com Arena and basically got run off the floor by a Los Angeles Lakers team that couldn't miss if they tried.
Final score? A lopsided 141-116.
Honestly, it wasn't even as close as that 25-point gap suggests. At one point in the second half, the Lakers were up by 32. It was one of those nights where the rim feels ten feet wide for one team and like a thimble for the other. For Atlanta fans, it was a rough watch, especially seeing LeBron James and Luka Doncic—yeah, that's the reality of the Lakers roster in 2026—carve up the defense like a Sunday roast.
The Reality of the Hawks' West Coast Trip
The Hawks actually came into this one with some momentum. They had won the first two games of this road trip, but they hit a brick wall in LA. LeBron, who is somehow still doing this in his 23rd season at age 41, nearly messed around and got a triple-double. He finished with 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
But the real story was the shooting. The Lakers shot 56% from beyond the arc. They made 19 threes. You just aren't winning many games in the modern NBA when the other team is that hot.
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Atlanta's new-look backcourt had some bright spots, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the way for the Hawks with 26 points, and CJ McCollum added 25. It’s still weird seeing McCollum in a Hawks jersey, but he’s been their most consistent offensive threat since the Trae Young trade to Washington.
The Hawks struggled to find their rhythm early. Corey Kispert, who also came over in that Washington deal, had 19 points but missed some crucial free throws in the second quarter that could have kept things interesting. Instead, Luka Doncic decided to take over, hitting three straight triples during a 17-0 Lakers run that basically put the game to bed before halftime.
Breaking Down the "Atlanta Game" Confusion
Now, depending on which "Atlanta game" you're looking for, there was actually some action closer to home. While the Hawks were getting humbled in Los Angeles, the local college scene was busy.
Over at McCamish Pavilion, Georgia Tech hosted the Pittsburgh Panthers. If you were hoping for a hometown win there, I've got bad news. Pitt dominated from the jump, winning 89-66. Brandin Cummings was a problem all night, dropping 23 points. The Yellow Jackets just couldn't find an answer for Pitt’s transition game, falling behind 12-2 in the opening minutes and never really recovering.
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And for the volleyball fans? LOVB Atlanta actually pulled out a win! They took down LOVB Austin in four sets at OTE Arena. Tessa Grubbs was a monster at the net, finishing with 26 points and 21 kills. It’s a nice silver lining on a night where the big-name pro and college teams struggled.
Why This Game Matters for the Hawks' Season
Let's get back to the NBA. The question of who won the Atlanta game last night is simple, but what it means for the team is a bit more complex.
- The Defense is Optional: Giving up 141 points is a disaster. Head coach Quin Snyder has his work cut out for him. Dejounte Murray and the rotation players couldn't stay in front of Luka or LeBron, which led to constant collapses and open looks for guys like Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton.
- The Post-Trae Era: We are seeing the growing pains of a team that transitioned away from a high-usage superstar. The ball moves more, but they lack that "get out of jail free" scorer when the offense stalls.
- Road Fatigue: This was the third stop on a long trip. Legs looked heavy in the fourth quarter when the Hawks tried to make a mini-run, cutting the lead to 11 before the Lakers' starters came back in to shut the door.
What You Should Watch Next
The Hawks don't have long to lick their wounds. They’re still in the thick of a Western Conference swing. If you're tracking their progress, here's what you need to keep an eye on over the next week.
First, check the injury report for Jalen Johnson. He had a solid game with some key assists, but he looked a little hobbled late. The Hawks need his versatility on the wing if they’re going to salvage the rest of this trip.
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Second, watch the minutes for the bench. Guys like Mouhamed Gueye and Dyson Daniels are getting more run. In a blowout like last night, those minutes are essentially an audition for the rotation.
If you're looking for a way to stay updated without scrolling through endless box scores, set a notification for the next tip-off. The Hawks are back in action soon, and they’ll be looking to prove that the 141-point defensive meltdown was a fluke, not a trend.
To get a better feel for how the new roster is gelling, you should definitely watch the condensed replay of the first half against the Lakers—specifically the ball movement between McCollum and Alexander-Walker before things got out of hand. It shows a glimpse of what this team could be when they aren't facing a historical shooting night from the opponent.