Wizards End Losing Streak
In an impressive turn of events, the Washington Wizards ended their lengthy losing streak with a decisive victory over the Atlanta Hawks, marking their first win in over a month. This triumph, a commanding 132-113 performance at the Capital One Arena, brought a glimmer of hope as they battled to remain in contention for the NBA Cup.
Explosive Start
The Wizards’ explosive start set the tone for the game, as they unleashed an early 18-2 run that left the Hawks struggling to keep up. Dominating the first quarter, they outscored Atlanta 45-23, showcasing a remarkable display of shooting prowess by sinking all eight of their attempts from beyond the three-point line—setting a franchise record for the most consecutive three-pointers made to open a game.
Key Performers
CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert each contributed significantly, with both players hitting four shots from downtown in the opening period. By halftime, McCollum was already at 27 points, further extending the Wizards’ lead to 20. The Wizards maintained their momentum, pushing their advantage to 33 points by the end of the third quarter, ultimately coasting to a 19-point victory.
“McCollum was the standout performer, ending the night with 46 points, including ten three-pointers.”
Alex Sarr supported with a solid 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Kispert added 19 points but exited the game early due to a thumb injury, the severity of which remains unclear.
Hawks’ Performance
For the Hawks, Kristaps Porzingis led the scoring with 22 points and eight rebounds, while Onyeka Okongwu added 20 points from the bench. Despite this loss, Atlanta remains competitive at 11-8 overall and 1-2 in NBA Cup matches. Prior to this defeat, they had managed to win seven of their last nine games.
Looking Ahead
With a season record of 2-15, the Wizards sit near the bottom of the league standings. However, their successful outing against the Hawks gives them a slight chance to recover in their quest to return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. The NBA Cup remains within reach as they navigate their remaining games.
