The Atlanta Hawks just put up 139 points, their highest total of the season, to beat the Washington Wizards 139-132 on Friday night. This win marks the team’s third straight victory and gives them a sweep of the home-and-home series against their former star Trae Young. The game was a high-scoring affair at State Farm Arena where the Hawks offense clicked on all cylinders while their defense forced eight turnovers from Young. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the charge with 28 points, proving he can carry the load when the lights are bright.
Dyson Daniels played a near triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds, showing why he is such a key part of this new lineup. Lu Dort scored 25 points, including a massive corner jumper late in the fourth quarter, while Onyeka Okongwu contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds. The team moved the ball so well that they recorded 38 assists on 52 made field goals, a stat that highlights their unselfish play. According to Yardbarker, this was the first home game for Trae Young since he was traded to Washington in January, and the crowd had mixed feelings about seeing him in a different jersey.
Young’s Return Brings Mixed Results
Trae Young did his best to keep the Wizards in the hunt with 23 points and 10 assists, but he also turned the ball over eight times. This season-high in turnovers was a major factor in Washington falling to 1-1 in NBA Cup play. The Wizards tried to keep pace with hot shooting, hitting 11 of their first 15 three-pointers in the second half, but it was not enough to stop the Hawks’ offensive surge. Kyshawn George scored 33 points for Washington, finishing just one point shy of his career high, but the team could not close the gap when it mattered most.
Washington stayed close thanks to Tre Johnson, who finished with 23 points off the bench, and George’s late heroics that cut the lead to three points with seconds left. However, the Hawks sealed the deal when Alexander-Walker and Okongwu sank two free throws each in the final moments. The Wizards’ defense simply could not handle the Hawks’ speed, as the team scored 38 points in the second quarter and 39 in the third to take firm control of the game.
Atlanta’s Offense Finally Finding Its Rhythm
For the first time all season, the Hawks look like they have found a consistent rhythm on offense, scoring 105 points through the first three quarters before adding 34 more in the fourth. According to Associated Press, the Hawks shot 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond the arc, numbers that are hard to ignore. This balanced attack means the team does not rely on just one player to win, as five different Hawks scored 19 or more points in the game. Even with Jalen Johnson out with a left ankle injury, the team found ways to win big.
Hawks analyst Dominique Wilkins noted that Tre Johnson is “not bashful” when getting the ball in crunch time, a trait that Washington needed but could not sustain against Atlanta’s pressure. The Hawks now move to 3-0 in their streak while the Wizards drop to 4-5 on the season.
AJ Dybantsa, the overall No. 1 draft pick, had 11 points on 3-for-13 shooting for Washington, a tough night for the rookie. According to Yahoo Sports, Kyshawn George carried the Wizards’ offense late with 18 points in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. The Wizards are now 1-1 in NBA Cup play., while the Hawks are unbeaten after their group‑stage opener.
