Hawks Soar Past Struggling Nets in Brooklyn

Atlanta's dynamic duo of Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker lead the charge against a Nets team looking to improve draft position.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:40pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a fast-paced basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.The Hawks' dynamic duo of Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker lead the charge against a struggling Nets team in a high-energy, cubist-inspired illustration.Boston Today

The Atlanta Hawks, currently fifth in the Eastern Conference, are in town to take on the struggling Brooklyn Nets. Led by the dynamic duo of Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Hawks have become one of the league's most exciting teams. Meanwhile, the Nets are looking to increase their draft odds with just six games left in the season.

Why it matters

This matchup pits one of the NBA's biggest surprises, the Hawks, against a Nets team that has fallen out of playoff contention. The game showcases the Hawks' impressive development model, which has turned Johnson and Alexander-Walker into a formidable pair, while the Nets are focused on the future and improving their draft position.

The details

The Hawks have proven they can compete with the top teams in the East, with key victories over the Celtics and Pistons. Their balanced roster, featuring newcomers like C.J. McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga, presents a tough challenge for the Nets. Meanwhile, the Nets are dealing with several key injuries, including to MPJ, Egor Demin, Danny Wolf, and Day'Ron Sharpe.

  • The Nets have six games left in the regular season.
  • The Hawks and Nets will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on April 3, 2026.

The players

Jalen Johnson

A 6'8" point forward for the Hawks who is averaging a near triple-double with 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. He recently became the eighth player in league history to record four straight triple-doubles.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The Hawks' starting point guard who is averaging 20.6 points per game. He has flourished in the Hawks' offense, taking on more playmaking duties than his cousin Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

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What they’re saying

“Nickeil Alexander-Walker's breakout seventh campaign isn't slowing down. His full-season emergence as a two-way star, with career-high averages in every major statistical category, has transformed the outlook of this Hawks team in both the immediate and long-term future.”

— Zach Langley, Soaring Down South

“Among players who appeared in at least 10 games in March, only three converted with more efficiency from beyond the arc than Alexander-Walker. Darius Garland was the only player who shot better than Alexander-Walker while attempting at least 7.0 treys per game.”

— Maxwell Ogden, Soaring Down South

What’s next

The Hawks will look to continue their strong play and solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race, while the Nets will hope to play spoiler and improve their draft position in the final six games of the season.

The takeaway

This matchup showcases the Hawks' impressive development model, which has turned Johnson and Alexander-Walker into a dynamic duo, while the Nets are focused on the future and improving their draft position in a lost season.