Hawks 123, Kings 113: Atlanta Takes Control in Second

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Sacramento Kings 123-113 on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at State Farm Arena, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker leading the way with 27 points in a balanced home win. Atlanta used a decisive second quarter and steady late execution to improve to 42-33.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Sacramento opened well and carried a 30-27 lead after one quarter. The Kings shot efficiently early and got enough half-court production to stay in front, while Atlanta kept contact by moving the ball and avoiding a larger deficit.

Second Quarter

The game shifted in the second. Atlanta outscored Sacramento 39-24 in the quarter, turning a three-point deficit into a 66-54 halftime lead. The Hawks found their rhythm offensively, connected from three-point range, and created cleaner possessions through their passing game. That stretch gave Atlanta the control it would hold for most of the night.

Third Quarter

Sacramento responded after halftime, winning the third quarter 28-22. The Kings trimmed the margin by getting back to their pace and limiting Atlanta’s push in transition. DeMar DeRozan helped steady the offense, and the Hawks’ lead was down to 88-82 entering the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Any serious comeback bid was answered in the final period. Atlanta scored 35 points in the fourth and matched Sacramento’s urgency with efficient offense and timely shot-making. The Hawks held off each push, stretched the margin back to double digits, and closed out the 10-point result without needing overtime.

Key Performers

Atlanta Hawks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 27 points and added eight assists and four steals, delivering one of the night’s most complete performances. Jock Landale controlled the glass with 13 rebounds, while Jalen Johnson paced the playmaking effort with 10 assists. As a team, Atlanta finished with 34 assists on 45 made field goals, a strong sign of how connected the offense looked throughout the game.

Sacramento Kings
DeMar DeRozan led Sacramento with 22 points. Maxime Raynaud added 18 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, and Malik Monk handed out seven assists. The Kings shot a solid 48.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three, but they could not fully recover from Atlanta’s second-quarter surge.

NerdSports Stat: Atlanta recorded assists on 75.6 percent of its made baskets (34 of 45), and when the Hawks reach at least 34 assists while scoring 120-plus, that combination usually points to a game controlled by pace, spacing, and decision-making rather than sheer shot volume.

Game Analysis

This game came down to the quality of Atlanta’s offense during its best stretches. The Hawks shot 50.0 percent overall, made 16 three-pointers, and generated a clear edge in ball movement with a 34-27 advantage in assists. Even though Sacramento actually finished with more rebounds and made the same number of field goals, Atlanta created separation with its second-quarter execution, extra three-point production, and steady offensive flow late.

The Hawks also got contributions across the lineup instead of relying on one scorer to carry the night. Alexander-Walker’s scoring punch stood out, but Atlanta’s passing and rebounding support helped maintain control. Sacramento was competitive in three of the four quarters, yet the 15-point swing in the second quarter proved too much to fully erase on the road.

Closing Context

With the win, Atlanta moved to 42-33 overall and 22-16 at home, an important result as the Eastern Conference playoff race continues to tighten. Sacramento dropped to 19-56 and 6-31 on the road. For the Hawks, this was the kind of home performance that helps preserve position in the standings, while the Kings will look to turn competitive stretches into a full 48-minute effort in their next outing.

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