Champs of the Southeast! Hawks Clinch Division Title
Champs of the Southeast! Hawks Clinch Division Title with Blowout Over Cavs
ATLANTA — The play-in purgatory is officially over. For the first time since their deep run in 2021, the Atlanta Hawks are Southeast Division Champions. Behind a vintage performance from CJ McCollum and a historic night from Dyson Daniels, the Hawks dismantled a shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers squad 124-102 on Friday night.
State Farm Arena was rocking as the Hawks secured a guaranteed playoff spot, finally trading in their "Play-In Tournament" frequent flier miles for a top-tier ticket to the postseason.
The Third Quarter Avalanche
The game was a contest for about twenty-four minutes. Then the third quarter happened. Leading 66-55, Atlanta decided they were done playing with their food. The Hawks uncorked a 16-0 run that ballooned the lead to 27 points, effectively turning the lights out on any Cleveland comeback hopes.
While the Cavs were missing the star power of Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, the Hawks showed zero mercy, winning their 14th game in their last 15 tries at home.
Triple-Double Dyson & The McCollum Show
Dyson Daniels: The young guard put on a masterclass, recording just the second triple-double of his career with 13 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. He controlled the tempo and kept the ball humming.
CJ McCollum: The veteran sharpshooter led all scorers with 29 points, looking every bit the playoff leader Atlanta needs.
Jalen Johnson & NAW: Both chipped in 18 points, with Johnson nearly grabbing a double-double of his own (9 rebounds) before getting an early rest in the fourth.
The Cleveland Perspective: Locked at Four
The Cavs (51-30) were playing without their engine (Mitchell) and their anchor (Allen), and it showed. James Harden did his best to shoulder the load with 20 points, but Cleveland’s shooting was ice-cold. They shot a dismal 26% from three-point range, with Max Strus and Jaylon Tyson combined for 0-of-9 from deep.
The loss doesn't hurt Cleveland's standing—they are locked into the No. 4 seed—but it sets a tense stage for a potential 4-vs-5 first-round matchup against these very same Hawks.
The Sideline Verdict
Atlanta is peaking at the perfect time. With a division title in the bag and the "State Farm Fortress" established, the Hawks look like a nightmare matchup for anyone in the East. They can still finish anywhere from the No. 5 to the No. 6 seed depending on Sunday’s results, but one thing is certain: they aren't looking back at the play-in.
The regular season wraps up Sunday as the Hawks visit Miami. Will they keep the momentum rolling into the playoffs?
