Only three games on tap in the NBA on Friday, so we’ll get right down to the action starting with a historic stat line from Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks.
Hawks Outplay Jazz as Jalen Johnson Makes History
Jalen Johnson had a history-setting game on Friday to lead the Atlanta Hawks (8-5) to a 132-122 win over the Utah Jazz (4-8) at Delta Center.
Johnson, who missed a chunk of last season due to injury, finished with 31 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and 7 steals to become the first NBA player ever to post such a stat line. He also set a career high in points and assists in the third triple-double of the year. Onyeka Okongwu paced the Hawks with 32 points and hit 8 of the team’s 24 triples, which is an NBA high this season thus far. Vit Krejci added 20 points on 6-for-8 from downtown.
Lauri Markkanen had a game-high 40 points to lead the Jazz, who were only down 119-118 at the 3:03 mark before Atlanta seized control with an 8-0 blitz led by—who else?—Jalen Johnson. Rookie Ace Bailey continued his surge with 21 points and 5 boards.
Suns Rout Pacers Behind Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks
The Phoenix Suns (8-5) rode some hot shooting in the first three quarters to roll to a 133-98 triumph over the struggling, injury-ravaged Indiana Pacers (1-11) at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Booker finished with 33 points, just one more than Brooks’ 32. The two shot a combined 24-for-40 from the field as the Suns shot 57.6% from the field and were well above 60% in the first three quarters. Oso Ighodaro added 20 points and 7 rebounds off the Phoenix bench, while Grayson Allen was the other starter in double figures with 12. The Suns have now won five straight.
Andrew Nembhard fired 21 points to lead the Pacers, who have now lost six straight.
Raptors Trump Cavs as Scottie Barnes Posts Near Triple-Double
Scottie Barnes nearly had a triple-double in leading the Toronto Raptors (7-5) to a 133-126 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-5) at Rocket Arena.
Barnes finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 5 blocks to lead a balanced and inspired effort from the Raptors, who have won back-to-back games and six of their last seven. Immanuel Quickley added 25 on 5-for-7 from downtown, while Jakob Poeltl added 20.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs with 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists but was just 2-for-9 from the arc and had 7 turnovers. De’Andre Hunter added 18 but was 1-for-5 from deep as the Cavs went 10-for-31 from distance overall.
