Onyeka Okongwu, rejuvenated Hawks dismantle Trail Blazers

Onyeka Okongwu had 25 points in the first half and set the pace with 20 to help the Atlanta Hawks extend their winning streak to four games with a 135-101 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

The win allowed the Hawks to reach .500 (31-31) for the first time since Dec. 21. Atlanta won the homestand 4-1, earning a split in the season series with Portland and breaking a three-game losing streak against Portland.

Okongwu recorded his 15th double-double by shooting 9-for-15 from the field, 7-for-12 on 3-pointers, and adding 10 rebounds and 6 assists. Jonathan Kuminga had 20 points and seven rebounds and CJ McCollum had 19 points.

Atlanta gets two starters back after missing the last game due to injury. Nickeil Alexander-Walker returned from a sprained ankle and scored 15 points. Jalen Johnson returned from a hip flexor strain and battled foul trouble and finished the game with eight points.

Portland was led by Jrue Holiday (23 points) and Donovan Clingan (15 points, 15 rebounds), his 24th double-double and 16th game with at least 15 rebounds. Atlanta won the board 54-38.

The Trail Blazers have lost two straight and are 1-2 on the road in five straight games.

Portland’s Kris Murray started in 4 minutes and 20 seconds, failed to score, and left with a stomach illness. He didn’t come back.

Okongwu got off to an early start and hit three 3-pointers for 14 points in the first quarter. That helped Atlanta take a 44-25 lead, its second-highest scoring quarter of the season. Holiday kept the Blazers close to 14 points.

Atlanta led by as many as 25 points in the second quarter, taking a 58-33 lead on Corey Kispert’s 3-pointer with 7:40 to play in the second quarter. Portland responded with a 12-2 run to narrow the margin to 15 and cut Atlanta’s lead to 75-58 at halftime.

Portland got within 16 points four times in the third quarter, but the Hawks denied each charge and took a 103-85 lead going into the fourth quarter.

–Field level media