In a display of dominance, Trae Young orchestrated a masterful performance with 26 points and 10 assists, guiding the Atlanta Hawks to a resounding 136-108 victory over the struggling Washington Wizards. The Hawks, aiming to rebound from recent setbacks, had no trouble dismantling the Wizards, who suffered their ninth consecutive loss.
Atlanta took control early, executing a 10-2 run that propelled them to a 70-58 halftime lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Hawks held a commanding 29-point advantage, showcasing their prowess on both ends of the court.
“It just shows that we’re getting more comfortable with what we’re doing,” commented Young. “It’s good to lead from wire to wire like that and come out with a big victory.”
The Wizards, now tied with the Detroit Pistons for the NBA’s worst record at 2-14, faced a formidable Hawks defense that capitalized on Washington’s 20 turnovers, converting them into 27 points.
“The energy in the building was down,” noted Wizards guard Landry Shamet. “That’s when you got to be able to create some energy for yourself. We never did that.”
Washington played without guard Jordan Poole, sidelined with left ankle soreness, while the Hawks lost Jalen Johnson to a left wrist injury after contributing eight points in just over eight minutes of playing time.
Known for their fast-paced style, both the Hawks and Wizards are among the league’s quickest teams. Despite Atlanta’s recent high-scoring performances, their 34-30 lead after the first quarter against Washington was relatively modest. However, as the game progressed, the Hawks began to pull away, with Young and De’Andre Hunter connecting on back-to-back 3-pointers to establish a 12-point lead at halftime.
The third quarter proved pivotal as the Hawks outscored the Wizards by 17 points, effectively sealing the outcome. Atlanta’s lead ballooned to as many as 36 points in the fourth quarter, allowing them to substitute liberally and showcase the depth of their roster.
“NBA players, they’re at the pinnacle of the sport,” acknowledged Hawks coach Quin Snyder. “In situations like tonight where there’s a lot of guys that put a lot of time in, it’s good to see that they have an opportunity to play.”
Despite the Wizards also making numerous substitutions with twelve players seeing action for at least 12 minutes, their efforts fell short. Jared Butler led Washington with 13 points, while Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, and Landry Shamet scored 12 each.
De’Andre Hunter contributed 20 points for the Hawks, while Bogdan Bogdanovic added 15. Clint Capela recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Dejounte Murray contributed 11 points and 10 assists.
Washington, on the second night of a back-to-back after a narrow loss to Milwaukee, faced a challenging schedule but emphasized resilience in the competitive NBA landscape.
“We don’t want to use back-to-backs as an excuse, but playing a championship team, then coming to play the Atlanta Hawks, that’s tough,” remarked Gafford. “It’s the NBA, and nobody’s going to feel sorry for us.”
FAQs:
- How many consecutive losses have the Washington Wizards suffered?
- The Washington Wizards endured their ninth consecutive loss, falling 136-108 to the Atlanta Hawks.
- Who led the scoring for the Wizards in the game against the Hawks?
- Jared Butler led the Wizards with 13 points, while Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford, and Landry Shamet scored 12 each.
- What was Trae Young’s contribution to the Hawks’ victory?
- Trae Young played a pivotal role, scoring 26 points and providing 10 assists, guiding the Atlanta Hawks to a dominant 136-108 win over the Washington Wizards.
Conclusion:
Trae Young’s stellar performance, coupled with a well-coordinated team effort, propelled the Atlanta Hawks to a commanding victory over the struggling Washington Wizards. The Hawks showcased dominance from start to finish, capitalizing on turnovers and defensive prowess. As the Wizards face challenges, the Hawks highlight their depth and ability to control the game on both ends of the court.
Reporter
