WASHINGTON — Trae Young delivered a sensational performance with 40 points and 13 assists, guiding the Atlanta Hawks to a thrilling 130-126 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday. Dejounte Murray complemented Young’s efforts with 32 points, as the Hawks overcame a shaky start and late free-throw struggles.
Jalen Johnson emerged as a key contributor, setting a career-high with 24 points and 13 rebounds, marking one of four Hawks to register double-doubles. Clint Capela dominated the boards with 17 rebounds to go along with his 11 points, and Saddiq Bey added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Young acknowledged the responsibility he shares with Murray in orchestrating the team’s offense, emphasizing their role in maximizing teammates’ talents. Despite Young’s five missed free throws contributing to a tense finish, the Hawks managed to hold off a late surge by the Wizards.
Kyle Kuzma spearheaded Washington’s charge with an impressive 38 points, including seven 3-pointers. However, Kuzma’s record-setting 18 three-point attempts and the team’s 53 total attempts from beyond the arc weren’t enough to secure back-to-back wins for the Wizards.
Deni Avdija added a solid double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds for Washington, which ended its four-game homestand with just a single win. The Wizards initially surged to a 17-4 lead but saw it evaporate by the end of the first quarter.
Atlanta’s pivotal moment came in the second quarter, where they seized the lead and unleashed an 18-6 run to close the first half. Murray shone brightly in the third quarter, scoring 10 points in a 15-3 Hawks run, extending their lead to 98-84.
Despite leading 123-108 with just over two minutes remaining, Atlanta’s victory was nearly jeopardized by their 7-of-14 free-throw shooting in the final moments. However, the Hawks managed to fend off the Wizards’ comeback attempt.
The Hawks’ win was characterized by their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Wizards 58-42, and showcasing resilience to snap a four-game losing streak. They now prepare to host Oklahoma City, while the Wizards look ahead to their encounter with Cleveland.
