De’Andre Hunter scored two quick baskets within 10 seconds in the final minute, and Jalen Johnson added 20 points to help the Atlanta Hawks defeat the Charlotte Hornets 107-104 on Saturday night.
The Hawks managed to hold on after Charlotte made a late push, creating a thrilling finish.
Hunter finished with 18 points, Onyeka Okongwu contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds, and Zaccharie Risacher and Trae Young each had 14 points. Clint Capela grabbed 14 rebounds as Atlanta won its third straight game.
Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 32 points, shooting 10 of 30 from the field. Josh Green scored 17 points, Vasilije Micic added 15 points, and Nick Richards and Cody Martin each had 12. The Hornets have lost five games in a row and seven of their last eight.
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Hawks held a 77-76 lead, which they quickly extended to 89-81 as the Hornets struggled offensively, scoring just five points in the first 5 1/2 minutes of the quarter.
The Hawks increased their lead to 91-82 with under six minutes left, but the Hornets made a comeback. Miller’s tip-in tied the game at 103-103 with 42.9 seconds remaining, but Hunter then scored the next four points.
Miller hit a 3-pointer to bring the Hornets within 103-102 with 14.6 seconds left, but Hunter made two free throws. After a Charlotte timeout, Miller missed a 3-pointer, and Okongwu sealed the win with two more free throws.
Miller has now scored 20 or more points in seven consecutive games. Richards, who had been out with a rib injury since Nov. 1, returned to the court.
Charlotte played its second game without LaMelo Ball, who is out for at least two weeks with a strained left calf.
The Hawks led 55-50 at halftime after holding Charlotte to just 18 points in the second quarter.
