KEY POINTS
- Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum fueled the Hawks offense against their former organization.
- Atlanta secured a comfortable 124-108 win during their visit to the nation’s capital.
- The victory marks a significant step for the Hawks in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Atlanta Hawks relied on familiar faces to secure a dominant road win against the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum both delivered standout performances against their previous employer. Their combined scoring efforts allowed Atlanta to control the game from the opening quarter. The Hawks eventually walked away with a 124-108 victory at Capital One Arena.
Kispert led all scorers with 28 points in his highly anticipated return to Washington. He connected on six shots from beyond the three-point arc during the contest. The forward appeared comfortable in his former home arena throughout the entire evening. His perimeter shooting forced the Wizards to extend their defense early in the game. This opened up significant space for his teammates to attack the basket.
CJ McCollum provided veteran leadership and secondary scoring for the visiting side. He finished the game with 24 points and distributed seven assists. McCollum targeted specific defensive matchups to maintain the Hawks offensive rhythm. His ability to hit mid-range jumpers halted several Washington comeback attempts in the second half. The guard also played a vital role in organizing the Atlanta defense during transition plays.
Washington struggled to find a consistent offensive flow against a disciplined Atlanta unit. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 22 points but faced constant double-teams. The home team committed 16 turnovers which led to easy fast-break points for the Hawks. Washington failed to capitalize on their size advantage in the paint during the middle periods. This lack of interior production prevented them from closing the scoring gap.
The Hawks frontcourt also contributed significantly to the final margin of victory. Onyeka Okongwu recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He anchored the defense by altering several shots near the rim. Clint Capela added 10 points and controlled the glass during his limited minutes. Their physical play ensured that Atlanta won the rebounding battle by a wide margin.
Trae Young played a more balanced game as a playmaker for the Hawks. He finished with 15 points and a game-high 11 assists. Young focused on finding his open teammates rather than seeking his own shot. This unselfish approach allowed four other Atlanta players to reach double figures in scoring. The team displayed impressive chemistry despite recent changes to their starting rotation.
This win helps Atlanta solidify its position in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. They have now won three consecutive games as they push toward the postseason. The Wizards continue to struggle at the bottom of the conference rankings. Their young roster faces a steep learning curve as the regular season concludes. Both teams are headed in different directions as the playoffs approach.
Atlanta will return home to face the Charlotte Hornets in their next game. Washington travels to meet the Brooklyn Nets as they look to end their current losing streak. Fans in Atlanta are optimistic about the team’s momentum heading into March. The performance by Kispert and McCollum served as the highlight of a successful road trip.
