Hawks Dominate Wizards in Convincing Victory
In a dominant display, the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Washington Wizards with a decisive score of 126-96 on Thursday night, led by newcomers CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. This matchup marked the second in a series where the Hawks faced off against the team from which they acquired McCollum and Kispert in a January trade that sent superstar Trae Young to Washington.
Player Highlights
Kispert shone brightly, achieving a career-high of 33 points, with an explosive start that saw him net 22 of those in the first half alone. After entering the game late in the first quarter, he demonstrated remarkable shooting prowess, making all five of his three-point attempts during a ten-minute span. Overall, he closed with a shooting percentage of 54.5% from beyond the arc, converting 6 out of 11 attempts.
Meanwhile, McCollum also made a significant contribution, scoring 25 points while also grabbing six rebounds and handing out three assists. His impact was most notable before halftime, when he hit a deep 27-foot three-pointer followed by a free throw, helping to solidify the Hawks’ lead of 75-56.
Supporting the duo, Dyson Daniels chipped in with a solid performance, tallying 13 points, dishing out 11 assists, recording four rebounds, and matching his season-best with five steals.
Wizards’ Struggles
For the Wizards, Will Riley and Tre Johnson managed to lead the team offensively, each contributing 14 points. Notably, Anthony Davis and Trae Young, who was recently traded to the Wizards, did not participate as both were unavailable due to injuries.
Roster Adjustments
In a notable roster adjustment, Jonathan Kuminga and Zaccharie Risacher took over starting roles in place of Jalen Johnson, who is dealing with a hip injury, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who has a foot issue.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Wizards are set to host the Toronto Raptors this Saturday, while the Hawks will take on the Portland Trail Blazers at home this Sunday.
