Jerami Grant returns, helps Trail Blazers take care of Hawks

Shaedon Sharpe recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and five assists to help the host Portland Trail Blazers record a 117-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.

Jerami Grant scored 16 points off the bench in his return from a 14-game absence caused by an Achilles injury. Backup Rayan Rupert scored 13 points, Jrue Holiday added 12 and reserve Caleb Love also scored 12 points as the Trail Blazers won for the sixth time in their past eight games.

Onyeka Okongwu made five 3-pointers en route to 26 points and added nine rebounds for the Hawks, who lost their second straight game. CJ McCollum added 20 points off the bench and Jalen Johnson had 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for Atlanta.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds and Dyson Daniels had 10 points for the Hawks, who lost for the ninth consecutive time in Portland.

Trail Blazers standout Deni Avdija (back) missed his second straight game.

A basket by Okongwu pulled Atlanta within 91-89 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

Grant then made two free throws to start a 12-0 run. Duop Reath ended it with a trey as Portland led 103-89 with 8:57 remaining.

The Hawks later moved within 105-98 on a 3-pointer by Vit Krejci with 4:59 left but the Trail Blazers responded with nine consecutive points to put the game away.

Atlanta sank 43.2% of its shots and hit 14 of 44 (31.8%) from 3-point range. Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) and Zaccharie Risacher (knee) each missed his fourth consecutive game.

The Trail Blazers made 45.3% of their field-goal attempts and were 14 of 46 (30.4%) from behind the arc. Donovan Clingan collected 12 rebounds for Portland.

Atlanta led 77-68 after a 3-pointer by Mouhamed Gueye with 4:36 left in the third quarter.

A short time later, Portland went on a 13-2 burst. Love scored the final five points as the Trail Blazers took an 85-81 advantage with 1:03 left in the period.

The Hawks went back ahead before Rupert drilled a trey as time expired to give Portland an 88-87 edge entering the fourth quarter.

Okongwu scored 13 first-half points as the Hawks led 56-54 at the break. Okongwu's three-point play with 2:11 left gave Atlanta its first lead of the game at 49-48.

Sharpe had 18 points in the half for Portland.

--Field Level Media