Jalen Johnson and Hawks hold off winless Nets 117-112 after Trae Young exits with knee injury

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Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson shoots over Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr., right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson (1) gestures after drawing a fould during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) — Atlanta Hawks' Jalen Johnson shoots over Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr., right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Barclays Center in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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7:18 PM on Wednesday, October 29

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Johnson scored 23 points, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the winless Brooklyn Nets 117-112 on Wednesday night after losing star guard Trae Young to a sprained right knee in the first quarter.

Young was hurt when teammate Mouhamed Gueye fell and collided with his knee. The four-time All-Star grabbed the knee in pain after the collision and was soon ruled out for the rest of the game. He had six points in seven minutes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 18 points, Luke Kennard added 17 and Onyeka Okongwu had 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the Hawks.

Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-high 32 points for the Nets, who fell to 0-5 for the first time since the 2015-16 season, when they lost their first seven games. Cam Thomas scored 19 points on 6-of-20 shooting, and Nic Claxton had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The Hawks spotted the Nets a 12-0 lead but pulled ahead 20-19 with 5:17 left in the first quarter and never trailed again, although Brooklyn made it close at the end. Two free throws by Porter got the Nets within 115-112 with 1:28 left, and Brooklyn had a chance to draw closer but missed its final five shots.

Kennard, who leads active NBA players in career 3-point shooting percentage, went 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Up next

Hawks: At Indiana on Friday night.

Nets: Host Philadelphia on Sunday night.

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