Game Preview: Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
On Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. EST, the Atlanta Hawks, currently sitting at ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28 wins and 31 losses, will host the Washington Wizards, who are struggling at 13th with a record of 16-40. This game marks a significant contest as both teams look to improve their standings in the conference.
Team Performance
Atlanta has managed a mediocre record of 5-6 against teams within their division this season. They are giving up an average of 118.3 points per game while also being slightly outscored, with their opponents besting them by an average of 1.4 points in each game. In contrast, Washington has fared worse in conference play, winning just 11 of their 35 matchups. The Wizards allow 122.8 points to their opponents and have been outscored by roughly 10.3 points on average.
The Hawks, known for their offensive capabilities, are generating 116.9 points per game, although this figure is still below the number of points the Wizards typically permit. Defensively, Washington’s opponents have hit 47.5% of their shots from the field, while the Wizards themselves have a shooting percentage of 45.9%.
Previous Encounters
This game will be the third instance where the two teams square off this season, with Atlanta winning the previous encounter 131-116 back on December 7. In that game, Jalen Johnson emerged as a standout player for the Hawks, scoring 30 points, while the Wizards were led by Tristan Vukcevic, who managed 18 points.
Key Players to Watch
Among the top players to watch, Jalen Johnson is putting forth an impressive performance, averaging 23.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. In the last ten games, CJ McCollum has also been solid for the Hawks, scoring an average of 20.1 points per matchup. For the Wizards, Kyshawn George is a key player, contributing about 14.9 points, along with 5.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Will Riley has shown promising form recently with an average of 13.7 points in his last ten appearances.
Recent Form and Injuries
Both teams come into this game with similar records over their previous ten games, with the Hawks posting a 4-6 record alongside an average of 112.9 points and a shooting percentage of 44.4%. Meanwhile, the Wizards have also gone 4-6, managing to average 113.6 points while shooting slightly better at 47.0%. However, their defensive issues have resulted in their opponents scoring at an alarming rate of 125.2 points per game.
In terms of injuries, Atlanta will miss Jonathan Kuminga due to a knee issue. The Wizards are facing a more extensive injury list, with key players such as Anthony Davis (out for the season), Justin Champagnie, Tristan Vukcevic, and Cam Whitmore all sidelined. Additionally, D’Angelo Russell will be unavailable for non-injury related reasons, and Alex Sarr has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury, while Trae Young is also listed as out because of a knee problem.
Conclusion
As the game approaches, both teams will look to capitalize on this opportunity to secure a win, making for an intriguing matchup in the Eastern Conference.
