NBA Notes: Hawks, Jalen Johnson, Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Bucks

Hawks

Jalen Johnson delivered a big night as the Hawks extended their winning streak on Saturday.

Johnson scored 35 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, while adding 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 125-116 win over the 76ers.

Atlanta has now won six straight.

Johnson said the late-game surge was less about flipping a switch and more about staying ready throughout.

“I think I’m always locked in,” he told Lauren Williams of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Yeah, I’m always locked in. Obviously when momentum is high and you’re on a run, the emotions are higher than at the beginning of the game. So maybe that makes it look like I’m more locked in.”

Knicks

Jalen Brunson has cooled off as a scorer recently, but the Knicks star continues to impact the game as a playmaker.

Brunson entered Sunday with three straight double-digit assist games and added seven assists against the Lakers, though he also committed seven turnovers.

Coach Mike Brown said opposing defenses have made Brunson a focal point.

“He’s taking what the defense is giving him,” Brown said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Post. “They’re switching, they’re blitzing, they’re trying to throw the kitchen sink at him. And he’s doing a great job of getting off the ball and passing.”

Bucks

Coach Doc Rivers shook up the lineup on Saturday and the Bucks responded.

Milwaukee snapped a four-game losing streak with a 113-99 win over the Jazz behind a starting group of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ryan Rollins, Myles Turner, Kyle Kuzma and Ousmane Dieng.

“I love the starters because of our size,” Rivers said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “I loved how we played the first seven minutes of the game. The ball just flew up the floor.”

That said, newly acquired reserve Cam Thomas logged just six minutes.

“Tonight wasn’t the night,” Rivers said. “And we’ve got a lot of guys that can play.”

Antetokounmpo did not play Sunday against the Magic as Milwaukee managed his calf.