Atlanta Hawks fans barely got a chance to know Kristaps Porzingis.
Acquired in a three-team trade last summer, Porzingis played just 17 games with the Hawks. And just as they were expecting the veteran center to return from his latest injury, Atlanta shipped him to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday for forward Jonathan Kuminga and guard Buddy Hield.
The Hawks have been dealing before Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, and there will be new faces on the court Thursday night when they host the Utah Jazz later Thursday.
They reportedly also traded shooting guard Luke Kennard to the Los Angeles Lakers for guard Gabe Vincent and a 2032 second-round draft pick on Thursday.
Until all the new parts get to Atlanta and familiarize themselves with the offense, the Hawks will be relying on Jalen Jackson as they fight to move up from play-in position. They enter play Thursday five games behind the Toronto Raptors for the final guaranteed playoff spot.
Atlanta ended a two-game losing streak Tuesday with an impressive 127-115 road win against Miami, and Johnson was key.
Johnson, who was named to the NBA All-Star team, had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against the Heat for his ninth triple-double of the season.
“Jalen just continues to find, within the rhythm of the game, opportunities to get off the ball to be the open guy, and when he needs to be more aggressive and go to the basket,” Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. “I just love that he’s not hesitating with the catch-and-shoot threes. I think that gives him space to play. Some of our other guys are getting more connected with him, too.”
Utah ended a six-game skid Tuesday by defeating the Indiana Pacers 131-122. The Jazz had only seven available players, and each scored in double figures. Utah played Tuesday without Keyonte George (ankle), Kevin Love (illness), Walker Kessler (shoulder) and Jusuf Nurkic (illness).
“Games like this are odd, playing with seven people and the lineups we had out there,” Utah coach Will Hardy said. “But I thought the team had great energy, great camaraderie.”
Isaiah Collier played all 48 minutes and had a career-high 22 assists in the win, the most in the NBA this season and the most by a Jazz player since John Stockton on Dec. 18, 1992. The last player in the league with 22 assists was Denver’s Nikola Jokic last March 7.
“Isaiah, with 22 assists and only two turnovers, is a testament to him, it’s a testament to his teammates,” Hardy said. “Overall, he showed a lot of poise and maturity as a point guard.”
The game marks a homecoming for Utah rookie Ace Bailey, who grew up in the Atlanta suburbs and was Mr. Georgia Basketball in 2024. He is averaging 11.3 points and 3.6 rebounds and scored 19 on Tuesday.
This is the final meeting between the teams this season. The Hawks, who have won three straight against the Jazz, took the first game 132-122 on Nov. 13 in Salt Lake City. Johnson had a triple-double (31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists) and Okongwu had a career-high 32 points with eight 3-pointers.
–Field Level Media
