Dejounte Murray scored 30 points and dished out seven assists as the Atlanta Hawks secured their third consecutive win and handed the Portland Trail Blazers their eighth straight loss, prevailing 120-106 on Wednesday night.
Garrison Mathews had an impressive performance with five 3-pointers, tallying a season-high 21 points off the bench. This victory helped the Hawks maintain their position as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and served as revenge for their earlier loss to the Trail Blazers on March 13. Mathews led the charge for the Atlanta reserves, contributing 41 points in total.
Bogdan Bogdanovic and Clint Capela each added 16 points, with Capela also grabbing 10 rebounds. Hawks coach Quin Snyder praised Murray’s exceptional performance, highlighting his efficiency and leadership on both ends of the court.
Murray, despite being questionable with back soreness before the game, showcased his playmaking abilities and instilled confidence in his teammates.
Portland’s Dalano Banton had a career-high 31 points coming off the bench, along with nine assists and five rebounds. Toumani Camara contributed 17 points, while Scoot Henderson chipped in with 15 points and six assists. The Trail Blazers, forced to start five rookies due to injuries, struggled with turnovers despite shooting well from beyond the arc.
The Hawks were missing several starters, including Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, and Saddiq Bey, due to injuries. Mathews capitalized on increased playing time and continued his strong performance with two 20-point games in the last three outings, showcasing his proficiency from beyond the arc.
Atlanta’s defense was particularly effective in the first half, generating 10 steals and hitting seven of 11 three-pointers in the second quarter to establish a 65-58 lead at halftime.
A decisive 11-0 run by the Hawks early in the third quarter extended their lead to 76-60, with Murray and Bogdanovic leading the charge. From there on, Atlanta maintained control of the game, never allowing the Trail Blazers to reduce the deficit to single digits.
