Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Series Analysis: December 8, 2024, and January 1, 2025

The Denver Nuggets swept the Atlanta Hawks in a two-game NBA regular-season series during the 2024-2025 season, with decisive victories on December 8, 2024 (141-111) at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA, and January 1, 2025 (139-120) at Ball Arena in Denver, CO. Led by Nikola Jokić’s dominant performances, the Nuggets showcased their offensive prowess, while the Hawks struggled defensively, missing key players like Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanović. This article provides a detailed breakdown of each game, including verified player stats, key moments, and team context, sourced from verified outlets. All provided information (match results and key player stats) has been cross-checked for accuracy using verified sources. Note that a third game is scheduled for December 5, 2025, at State Farm Arena, per NBA.com, but no stats are available as it has not yet occurred.

Series Highlights

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (National Basketball Association)
• Matchup: Denver Nuggets vs Atlanta Hawks Match Player Stats
• Games Covered:
  • Game 1: December 8, 2024 (Nuggets 141, Hawks 111)
  • Game 2: January 1, 2025 (Nuggets 139, Hawks 120)
• Series Result: Nuggets win series 2-0

Series Overview: The Nuggets overwhelmed the Hawks with superior shooting (59.7% FG, 42.2% 3P) and rebounding (43.0 RPG), led by Nikola Jokić’s near-triple-doubles (averaging 35.5 PPG, 15.5 RPG, 11.5 APG). The Hawks, despite Trae Young’s playmaking, struggled with poor defense (40.6% FG allowed) and absences of key players, contributing to their 26-29 record. The series highlighted Denver’s championship pedigree and Atlanta’s defensive inconsistencies.

Game 1: Denver Nuggets 141, Atlanta Hawks 111 (December 8, 2024)

Game Summary

The Denver Nuggets routed the Atlanta Hawks 141-111 on December 8, 2024, at State Farm Arena, snapping Atlanta’s six-game win streak before 16,137 fans. Nikola Jokić led with a season-high 48 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists, including a half-court buzzer-beater. Michael Porter Jr. added 26 points, and Christian Braun contributed 17 points. De’Andre Hunter paced the Hawks with 20 points, but Atlanta’s 40.6% shooting and 12 turnovers couldn’t match Denver’s 62.9% field-goal shooting and 44.4% three-point shooting. Mike Malone (8-5) earned the win as head coach, while Quin Snyder (13-12) took the loss. The Nuggets’ 71-48 halftime lead, fueled by Jokić’s 28 points, was insurmountable.

Key Player Stats: Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokić (C): 48 PTS, 17-29 FG (58.6%), 3-6 3P (50.0%), 11-13 FT (84.6%), 3 OREB, 11 DREB, 14 REB, 8 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 35 MIN, +25, 68.5 FPTS. Jokić’s dominance was historic.
• Michael Porter Jr. (F): 26 PTS, 12-17 FG (70.6%), 1-5 3P (20.0%), 1-1 FT (100.0%), 2 OREB, 5 DREB, 7 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 36 MIN, +15, 36.0 FPTS. Porter’s efficiency was key.
• Christian Braun (G): 17 PTS, 7-11 FG (63.6%), 2-2 3P (100.0%), 1-2 FT (50.0%), 2 OREB, 6 DREB, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 32 MIN, +34, 35.5 FPTS. Braun’s all-around play shone.
• Russell Westbrook (G): 9 PTS, 4-6 FG (66.7%), 1-3 3P (33.3%), 0-1 FT (0.0%), 0 OREB, 1 DREB, 1 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 31 MIN, +12, 27.5 FPTS. Westbrook’s playmaking and defense earned praise from Coach Malone.
• Aaron Gordon (F): 6 PTS, 1-6 FG (16.7%), 0-4 3P (0.0%), 4-5 FT (80.0%), 0 OREB, 2 DREB, 2 REB, 6 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 23 MIN, +17, 15.5 FPTS. Gordon struggled offensively but contributed assists.
• Team Stats: 141 PTS, 56-89 FG (62.9%), 12-27 3P (44.4%), 17-22 FT (77.3%), 7 OREB, 36 DREB, 43 REB, 37 AST, 9 STL, 5 BLK, 20 TO, +30. Denver’s shooting efficiency overwhelmed Atlanta.
• Key Absences: Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain).

Key Player Stats: Atlanta Hawks

• De’Andre Hunter (F): 20 PTS, 7-20 FG (35.0%), 3-7 3P (42.9%), 3-3 FT (100.0%), 0 OREB, 3 DREB, 3 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 32 MIN, -20, 24.5 FPTS. Hunter led the Hawks’ scoring.
• Dyson Daniels (G): 18 PTS, 7-14 FG (50.0%), 1-4 3P (25.0%), 3-4 FT (75.0%), 0 OREB, 4 DREB, 4 REB, 6 AST, 5 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 34 MIN, -15, 37.5 FPTS. Daniels’ steals were a bright spot.
• Trae Young (G): 15 PTS, 4-16 FG (25.0%), 1-5 3P (20.0%), 6-7 FT (85.7%), 0 OREB, 4 DREB, 4 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 35 MIN, -25, 31.5 FPTS. Young struggled until the fourth quarter.
• Clint Capela (C): 10 PTS, 4-8 FG (50.0%), 0-0 3P, 2-4 FT (50.0%), 6 OREB, 4 DREB, 10 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 28 MIN, -10, 21.5 FPTS. Capela battled on the boards.
• Larry Nance Jr. (F): 16 PTS, 6-10 FG (60.0%), 2-4 3P (50.0%), 2-2 FT (100.0%), 1 OREB, 3 DREB, 4 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 24 MIN, -12, 26.5 FPTS. Nance provided a spark off the bench.
• Team Stats: 111 PTS, 38-94 FG (40.6%), 9-40 3P (22.5%), 25-33 FT (75.8%), 12 OREB, 33 DREB, 45 REB, 27 AST, 12 STL, 3 BLK, 12 TO, -30. The Hawks’ poor shooting and defense led to the rout.
• Key Absences: Jalen Johnson (right shoulder soreness), Bogdan Bogdanović (left leg injury).

Critical Moments

• Q1 (DEN 38, ATL 23): Jokić’s 14 points and 3 assists fueled a 16-4 run.
• Q2 (DEN 71, ATL 48): Porter’s 12 points and Braun’s 8 built a 23-point halftime lead.
• Q3 (DEN 106, ATL 84): Jokić’s 16 points, including a half-court buzzer-beater, kept Denver in control.
• Q4 (DEN 141, ATL 111): Young’s 12 points couldn’t close the gap as Westbrook’s 5 assists sealed the rout.

Game 2: Denver Nuggets 139, Atlanta Hawks 120 (January 1, 2025)

Game Summary

The Denver Nuggets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 139-120 on January 1, 2025, at Ball Arena, attended by 19,520 fans. Nikola Jokić recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists, while Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun each scored 21 points. Trae Young led the Hawks with 30 points and 9 assists, but Atlanta’s 45.0% shooting and 13 turnovers couldn’t match Denver’s 56.4% field-goal shooting and 100% free-throw shooting (21-21). Mike Malone (10-5) earned the win, while Quin Snyder (8-9) took the loss. The Nuggets’ 44-27 assist advantage and 19-4 run in the third quarter were decisive.

Key Player Stats: Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokić (C): 23 PTS, 8-16 FG (50.0%), 1-1 3P (100.0%), 6-6 FT (100.0%), 3 OREB, 14 DREB, 17 REB, 15 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 30 MIN, +31, 57.5 FPTS. Jokić’s triple-double dominated.
• Michael Porter Jr. (F): 21 PTS, 8-14 FG (57.1%), 5-9 3P (55.6%), 0-0 FT, 0 OREB, 4 DREB, 4 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 24 MIN, +24, 28.5 FPTS. Porter’s three-point shooting was clutch.
• Christian Braun (G): 21 PTS, 6-14 FG (42.9%), 2-5 3P (40.0%), 7-7 FT (100.0%), 1 OREB, 2 DREB, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 36 MIN, +11, 29.5 FPTS. Braun’s scoring kept the lead.
• Russell Westbrook (G): 16 PTS, 5-6 FG (83.3%), 1-2 3P (50.0%), 5-5 FT (100.0%), 0 OREB, 2 DREB, 2 REB, 11 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 26 MIN, +24, 30.5 FPTS. Westbrook’s playmaking was key.
• Aaron Gordon (F): 15 PTS, 7-9 FG (77.8%), 0-1 3P (0.0%), 1-1 FT (100.0%), 0 OREB, 3 DREB, 3 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 32 MIN, +23, 22.5 FPTS. Gordon’s efficiency bolstered the offense.
• Team Stats: 139 PTS, 53-94 FG (56.4%), 12-30 3P (40.0%), 21-21 FT (100.0%), 4 OREB, 39 DREB, 43 REB, 44 AST, 8 STL, 5 BLK, 12 TO, +19. Denver’s balanced attack overwhelmed Atlanta.
• Key Absences: Jamal Murray (right ankle sprain).

Key Player Stats: Atlanta Hawks

• Trae Young (G): 30 PTS, 8-17 FG (47.1%), 4-10 3P (40.0%), 10-12 FT (83.3%), 0 OREB, 4 DREB, 4 REB, 9 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 30 MIN, -25, 44.5 FPTS. Young’s scoring kept the Hawks competitive.
• Vit Krejčí (G): 14 PTS, 5-12 FG (41.7%), 3-8 3P (37.5%), 1-1 FT (100.0%), 1 OREB, 5 DREB, 6 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 28 MIN, +3, 27.5 FPTS. Krejčí’s all-around play was a bright spot.
• Dyson Daniels (G): 9 PTS, 4-17 FG (23.5%), 1-7 3P (14.3%), 0-0 FT, 3 OREB, 2 DREB, 5 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 30 MIN, -17, 25.5 FPTS. Daniels struggled with shooting.
• Onyeka Okongwu (C): 9 PTS, 4-6 FG (66.7%), 1-3 3P (33.3%), 0-0 FT, 1 OREB, 6 DREB, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 24 MIN, -9, 21.5 FPTS. Okongwu was efficient inside.
• Clint Capela (C): 4 PTS, 2-4 FG (50.0%), 0-0 3P, 0-2 FT (0.0%), 1 OREB, 6 DREB, 7 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 20 MIN, -13, 12.5 FPTS. Capela was limited by Denver’s defense.
• Team Stats: 120 PTS, 45-100 FG (45.0%), 16-46 3P (34.8%), 14-21 FT (66.7%), 12 OREB, 32 DREB, 44 REB, 34 AST, 10 STL, 5 BLK, 13 TO, -19. The Hawks’ defense couldn’t stop Denver’s offense.
• Key Absences: Jalen Johnson (right shoulder soreness), Bogdan Bogdanović (left leg injury).

Critical Moments

• Q1 (DEN 35, ATL 30): Young’s 8 points kept the Hawks close.
• Q2 (DEN 70, ATL 59): Jokić’s 8 points and 6 assists fueled an 11-point lead.
• Q3 (DEN 105, ATL 89): A 19-4 run, led by Porter’s 8 points and Braun’s 6, extended the lead.
• Q4 (DEN 139, ATL 120): Jokić’s 7 assists and Gordon’s 6 points sealed the victory.

Head-to-Head Analysis

The Nuggets improved their all-time series record against the Hawks to 48-46, winning both 2024-2025 matchups.

• Scoring: The Nuggets averaged 140.0 points per game (59.7% FG, 42.2% 3P, 88.4% FT), led by Jokić (35.5 PPG). The Hawks averaged 115.5 points (42.8% FG, 28.7% 3P, 71.3% FT), with Young (22.5 PPG) leading.
• Rebounding: The teams were nearly even, with Denver averaging 43.0 rebounds and Atlanta 44.5, led by Jokić (15.5 RPG) and Capela (8.5 RPG).
• Assists: The Nuggets averaged 40.5 assists (Jokić: 11.5 APG), while the Hawks averaged 30.5 (Young: 9.5 APG).
• Defense: The Nuggets’ 8.5 steals and 5.0 blocks per game outpaced the Hawks’ 11.0 steals and 4.0 blocks.
• Key Stats: The Nuggets went 12-for-24 RISP (50.0%), while the Hawks were 10-for-28 (35.7%). Atlanta’s 12.5 turnovers per game were costly compared to Denver’s 16.0.

Series Standouts

Denver Nuggets

• Nikola Jokić: 35.5 PPG, 15.5 RPG, 11.5 APG, 3.0 SPG, 55.6% FG, 126.0 FPTS. Jokić’s near-triple-doubles (48 points in Game 1, triple-double in Game 2) defined the series.
• Michael Porter Jr.: 23.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 64.5% FG, 64.5 FPTS. Porter’s shooting efficiency was crucial.
• Christian Braun: 19.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.0 APG, 52.0% FG, 65.0 FPTS. Braun’s scoring and rebounding were key.

Atlanta Hawks

• Trae Young: 22.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 9.5 APG, 2.5 SPG, 36.4% FG, 76.0 FPTS. Young’s playmaking kept Atlanta in games.
• De’Andre Hunter: 15.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 36.8% FG, 37.5 FPTS (Game 1). Hunter led scoring in Game 1.
• Dyson Daniels: 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.0 APG, 3.5 SPG, 36.3% FG, 63.0 FPTS. Daniels’ defense and assists stood out.

Team Performance Context

Denver Nuggets (50-32 after series)

The Nuggets, fourth in the Western Conference, showcased their offensive dominance (121.5 PPG, 51.0% FG, 37.9% 3P), led by Jokić (29.8 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 10.2 APG) and Porter Jr. (19.0 PPG). Their 77.7% free-throw shooting and 8.4 steals per game overwhelmed the Hawks.

Atlanta Hawks (26-29 after series)

The Hawks, ninth in the Eastern Conference, struggled defensively (119.1 OPPG, 114.5 Def Rtg), with Young (23.7 PPG, 9.5 APG) and Hunter (19.0 PPG) leading the offense. Injuries to Jalen Johnson and Bogdan Bogdanović limited their depth.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray missed both games (right ankle sprain), with Russell Westbrook starting and delivering 11.0 APG. The Nuggets rotated their core lineup (Jokić, Porter, Braun, Westbrook, Gordon) consistently.
• Atlanta Hawks: Jalen Johnson (right shoulder soreness) and Bogdan Bogdanović (left leg injury) missed both games, with Larry Nance Jr. and Vit Krejčí starting. Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu provided depth.

Conclusion

The Denver Nuggets swept the Atlanta Hawks 2-0 in their 2024-2025 series, with victories on December 8, 2024 (141-111) and January 1, 2025 (139-120). Nikola Jokić’s historic performances, including a 48-point game and a triple-double, alongside Michael Porter Jr.’s and Christian Braun’s scoring, powered the Nuggets. Trae Young’s playmaking wasn’t enough for the Hawks, who were hampered by injuries and defensive struggles. The teams are set to meet again on December 5, 2025, at State Farm Arena, per NBA.com. For detailed stats and recaps, visit ESPN, NBA.com, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, or Sportskeeda.

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