ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks faced difficulties in their home game against the Miami Heat, resulting in a 128-97 loss on Friday. Despite maintaining a solid 17-15 record on the road this season, the Hawks’ performance at home, with a 10-16 record before this game, remains a concern. The Heat dominated early, executing well on both offense and defense, leaving the Hawks sluggish to begin the matchup.
Hawks Rally in Second Quarter but Momentum Fades
The second quarter saw a shift as the Hawks improved their pace, closing in on a 15-point deficit with a strong run that featured contributions from Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum. McCollum noted the change, saying,
“Second quarter, we got out and ran. Corey got a dunk and a transition three. Got some rim pressure, got some kick out threes from eyes out. I think that was the difference.”
By halftime, the Hawks trimmed the Heat’s lead to 57-51, showing signs of life and momentum.
Heat Reassert Control in Second Half
Despite the gains made in the second quarter, the Hawks reverted to earlier struggles during the second half. The Heat took command again, pulling away to build a 34-point lead in the final period. McCollum pointed out the key moments that swung the game, explaining,
“They went to zone to start the fourth quarter, and I think that changed the game. They took advantage of some turnovers and missed shots. I don’t think we did enough to win. [Tyler] Herro got off. He got too much freedom, too much space in his pick and roll, and too much space in his pull-ups. I think a lot of guys hurt us tonight, and I think we didn’t deserve to win this game.”
Statistical Struggles Impact Hawks’ Chances
The Heat outperformed the Hawks in critical areas, scoring 72 points in the paint compared to Atlanta’s 38 and dominating the boards with 58 rebounds to 46. Additionally, Miami excelled in capitalizing on turnovers, generating 20 points off those opportunities. While the Hawks managed a respectable 42% shooting from beyond the arc, it proved insufficient to close the gap.
Hawks Reflect on Execution and Future Opportunities
Jalen Johnson acknowledged flaws in execution, stating,
“I think when we’re consistent with the game plan, and we come out and execute the game plan, that’s when we’re at our best. I don’t think we did a good job of executing the game plan tonight.”
Despite the challenge of back-to-back games, McCollum dismissed it as an excuse, saying,
“I would’ve liked to go to sleep before 3 am last night, but they beat us. It is what it is. They came out, they played better than us. They got off to a good start. They got points in transition, they got threes, they got rim pressure. They did whatever they wanted tonight. So back-to-back or not, they did enough to win, and we didn’t do enough.”
Looking Ahead: Hawks Aim to Improve Home Performance
The Hawks face a critical stretch with four consecutive games at home, presenting an opportunity to address ongoing struggles in front of their fans. Johnson remains optimistic about the upcoming chances, sharing,
“The chances are right in front of us. We just got to go out there and get it. We got another chance on Sunday to regroup, and tomorrow for us to watch film and get better.”
The team’s preparation and adjustments in the coming days will be pivotal in reversing their home game fortunes against opponents who have yet to perform strongly this year.
Corey spark off the bench with a jam and a triple 🧨 pic.twitter.com/4gGo2N6v3u
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 21, 2026
