Paredes scores twice, Timbers top Galaxy 4-0

Cristhian Paredes scored his second goal on a volley to the upper-left corner in the 81st minute, leading the Portland Timbers to a 4-0 victory over the LA Galaxy on Saturday night.

Paredes' third and fourth goals of the season helped the Timbers move above the red line, into seventh place in the MLS Western Conference.

Portland's first two goals came in a four-minute span late in the first half. Diego Valeri scored on a breakaway after Paredes' 37th minute header off of a cross by Jorge Moreira.

The Portland Timbers' Brian Fernandez (7) jumps for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Noble GuyonThe Oregonian via AP)

The Galaxy created ample scoring opportunities, including five shots from star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but could not convert.

Moments later, Ibrahimovic got behind the defense and was left one-on-one with goalkeeper Steve Clark.

Clark deflected the shot wide, and Portland was quick to capitalize.

The Portland Timbers' Brian Fernandez dribbles during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Noble GuyonThe Oregonian via AP)

Sebastian Blanco found Valeri just beyond midfield, and Valeri took the ball the remainder of the field, cut the ball through the legs of Galaxy defender Daniel Steres and slotted a shot in the lower right corner to push the Timbers lead to 2-0 in the 41st minute. It was Valeri's sixth goal of the season.

Ibrahimovic played a cross on the ground to Antuna directly in front of the goal in the 75th minute, but Clark made a diving save to block his first-time shot.

Portland forward Jeremy Ebobisse scored the team's fourth goal — a header from Jorge Villafana — in the 88th minute. The final goal came four minutes after LA's Efrain Alvarez was given a red card for violent conduct.

Portland Timbers' Diego Valeri (8) removes his shirt during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy on Saturday, July 27, 2019, in Portland, Ore. (Noble GuyonThe Oregonian via AP)

Ibrahimovic has scored 16 goals this season, including all three of his team's goals in the Galaxy's last regular season game, a 3-2 win over Western Conference leader LAFC.

Clark finished with six saves.

Portland (9-8-4) is unbeaten in its last six regular-season games. With the loss, the Galaxy (12-9-1) drop one spot to third in the West.

Portland Timbers' Cristhian Paredes (22) reacts during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Noble GuyonThe Oregonian via AP)

The Portland Timbers' Brian Fernandez (7) falls to the turf during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the LA Galaxy in Portland, Ore., on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Noble GuyonThe Oregonian via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in his seventh triple-double of the season, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 22 for the Hawks, while both Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard scored 12.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points. OG Anunoby had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 18 points.

Ariel Hukporti, who replaced Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) in the starting lineup, grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds for New York.

The Knicks got off to a quick start, taking an 11-2 lead. Trailing 30-29, the Hawks scored the final four points of the first quarter and never trailed again.

Atlanta extended its lead to 60-45 on Okongwu’s short jumper with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter before Brunson’s runner cut the Knicks’ deficit to 60-47 at halftime.

Alexander-Walker’s driving layup with 1:14 left in the third quarter gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the game at 94-68 and they were ahead 94-70 at the end of the quarter.

The Knicks scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and pulled within 94-81 before Kennard connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to end the streak.

New York mounted a final rally following consecutive 3-pointers by Bridges to edge within 108-99, but never got any closer.

The Hawks, who have won two in a row following a season-high, seven-game losing streak, became the first team to hold the Knicks to fewer than 100 points this season.

Atlanta's Trae Young (bruised right quadriceps) and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury management) each missed their third straight games.

Hawks: Visit Toronto on Saturday.

Knicks: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) passes the ball around New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, bottom, and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) battle for the ball during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, right, is defended by New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)