ATLANTA – Joe Johnson scored a season-high 34 points, Josh Childress added 23, also a season best, and the Atlanta Hawks never trailed in a 117-109 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.

The victory may have been costly, however, with two starters going down with injuries.

Josh Smith, who had 15 points and five blocks, strained his left quad strain early in the third quarter and did not return. The Hawks also lost rookie point guard Acie Law with a left ankle sprain with 6:47 left in the third period. He had two points and six assists. Both did not return.

Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson led the Bobcats with 27 points apiece.