The Hawks close on a 28-9 run to defeat the Heat in Las Vegas.
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• Hawks 105, Heat 98: Box Score | Game Detail
LAS VEGAS — Stellar all-around showings from Kobe Bufkin and Jacob Toppin helped overcome a memorable performance from Heat first-round pick Kasparas Jakučionis. They propelled the Atlanta Hawks to a comeback 105-98 win over Miami in an NBA 2K26 Summer League battle at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon.
The rollercoaster affair, which featured five lead changes and seven ties, began with the team that would ultimately prevail enjoying a 29-25 lead after the first quarter. However, the Heat turned the tables over the middle quarters, first forging a 52-52 halftime tie before thriving on either end of the floor during a third quarter where they enjoyed a 24-16 advantage. Miami also scored the first four points of the final period on Pelle Larsson’s free throws before the Hawks outscored them by a 37-18 margin in the final 8:47.
Bufkin’s 29 points, which included 15 free throws on as many visits to the line, led the Hawks. He added three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Toppin generated a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. Adam Flagler and Eli John N’Diaye contributed matching 12-point, two-assist, one-steal efforts, with the latter also tallying six rebounds and one block. Rookie first-round pick Asa Newell delivered eight points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Jakučionis paced the Heat with 24 points, complementing them with four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Javonte Cooke finished with 18 points, six boards and one steal. Larsson registered 16 points, three assists and a steal. Vladislav Goldin poured in 11 points, while Kel’el Ware posted 10 points, six rebounds, one steal and one block.
Both teams are back in action on Sunday, with the Hawks taking on the Phoenix Suns in an afternoon matchup (3:30 ET, NBA TV) and the Heat facing off with the Cavaliers in a Saturday night clash (7:30 ET, NBA TV).
