ATLANTA – David Lee scored 22 points, including the go-ahead basket with 30 seconds remaining, and the Golden State Warriors answered a late comeback by Atlanta to beat the Hawks 85-82 on Wednesday night.
The Warriors kept the lead until Zaza Pachulia scored on a follow-up shot after a miss by Teague with 52 seconds remaining for a 78-78 tie.
Lee drove past Pachulia to score with 30 seconds remaining to give the lead back to Golden State.
Donta Ellis had 24 points and eight assists, while Lee had 12 rebounds for a double-double.
Joe Johnson, returning from a knee injury, led Atlanta with 18 points. The Hawks were held to a season-low 34.1 percent shooting from the field. Pachulia had 13 points and 16 rebounds for Atlanta, Jeff Teague had 15 points and Josh Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Following a timeout, Atlanta passed the ball from Johnson to Teague to Smith and back to Teague, who missed on a drive with 15.6 seconds remaining. Nate Robinson sank two free throws to push the lead to four points before Smith followed his miss with a tip-in for Atlanta. Ellis made two free throws to protect the lead for the Warriors.
The Hawks played from behind after trailing by 13 points in the second quarter. Atlanta pulled to within one point with about 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter and again on a free throw by Marvin Williams with 3:24 remaining in the game. Williams missed a second free throw.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry missed all but the final seconds of the game due to a strained tendon in his right foot. Coach Mark Jackson said before the game that "cooler heads have got to prevail" after he was tempted to play Curry, who participated in a light practice earlier Wednesday and was in uniform.
Johnson returned after missing two games and the All-Star game with tendinitis in his left knee. He wore wraps on each knee and appeared to slightly favor the left knee at times.
Johnson sank a jumper on the first possession, but it was his only basket of the half. He missed his last seven shots of the half but regained his form as he delivered Atlanta's first three baskets, including a 3-pointer, in the second half.
The Hawks set a season low by making only 32.6 percent of their shots from the field in the first half. The Warriors led 48-38 at halftime and 64-61 after three periods.
Notes: Hawks C Al Horford said he has been cleared to begin rehabbing from his surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle. ... Dominic McGuire's 11 rebounds in the first half was a high for any Golden State player this season. The Warriors had a 33-18 advantage in rebounds in the half. McGuire didn't score, but had 15 rebounds. ... Hawks F Vladimir Radmanovic reported to Philips Arena but was sent home with an upset stomach.
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