The Atlanta Hawks were in Washington on Wednesday evening to face the Wizards. This was the first of two matchups in three days against these two teams, and there were some big headlines coming into this one. First, it was Trae Young’s first game against his former team since getting traded in January. Young played his first eight seasons in the league with the Hawks, so this was a big moment for the point guard.
A surprising move that happened an hour before the game was Kingston Flemings being inserted
into the starting lineup, with CJ McCollum coming off the bench. It seemed like a move that McCollum suggested, which shows how much of a veteran and team player he is.
Jalen Johnson remained out for his second straight game, and Lu Dort once again started in his place.
Flemings was able to start things off for the Hawks with a 3-pointer.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had a strong shooting night against the Pacers on Monday, and he continued that coming into this game, knocking down a few 3-pointers in the quarter.
The Wizards were able to keep things close with the Hawks, as Anthony Davis was hard to stop in the paint. The Hawks countered by getting in transition, and Flemings used his speed to beat the defense.
McCollum came off the bench and was instant offense for the Hawks, and got this and-1 to go. Later on in the quarter, he knocked down a deep 3-pointer.
The Hawks were able to create a little separation as the quarter went on, and before heading into the second, Asa Newell got this put back to go to give them a 37-32 lead.
Zuby Ejiofor got things started for the Hawks in the second with this big dunk in transition.
Flemings continued to make an impact in his new role, and Aaron Wiggins found the rookie for a wide-open 3-pointer. The Hawks were able to get a double-digit lead in the second, getting stops on defense and getting out in transition on the other end.
McCollum did more than just score the ball, and he found Onyeka Okongwu for an easy layup.
The Hawks let go of the gas a little bit toward the end of the second, and the Wizards were able to cut into their deficit. Going into halftime, the Hawks still led 68-61.
Coming into the third, the Hawks kept shooting threes, and they kept going in.
The Wizards were able to cut into the Hawks’ lead a little more, and they got it down to as low as four points. The Hawks still tried to keep the pressure on in the quarter, and Flemings attacked the bigs of the Wizards.
Alexander-Walker continued his hot shooting.
Corey Kispert was able to bait Young into a foul for a four-point play.
Ejiofor got up for a monster dunk over two defenders late in the quarter.
Every time the Wizards made a run in the third, the Hawks had an answer for it. Going into the fourth, the Hawks led 93-85.
The Hawks ran up their lead to start the fourth, and it was Kispert who got another and-1 to go.
Flemings was breaking the paint all game for the Hawks, and this time it led to an open 3-pointer for Dort.
The Hawks finished with 30+ assists again, and it was because of plays like this.
The Hawks were able to keep their double-digit lead throughout the fourth, and they walked away with the win.
Alexander-Walker finished with 26 points, Okongwu finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds, Daniels finished with eight points, 17 rebounds and eight assists, and Flemings finished with 14 points.
The Hawks will be back in action on Friday to face the Wizards again.
