Hawks Fall to Wizards in Nail-Biter, 121-119, Despite Strong Performances

The Atlanta Hawks suffered a narrow defeat to the Washington Wizards on Monday night at State Farm Arena, losing 119-121 in a hard-fought contest. Despite a strong showing from several key players, Atlanta couldn’t overcome the Wizards’ deadly three-point shooting, which ultimately proved to be the difference-maker. Washington knocked down 21 three-pointers, with standout performances from Jordan Poole, who scored 26 points, and Kyle Kuzma, who contributed 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Strong Team Play from the Hawks

Despite the loss, the Hawks demonstrated excellent ball movement and defense. Atlanta recorded 32 assists, marking their third consecutive home game with 25 or more assists. This performance also extended their streak of 20+ assists at home to 52 games, the third-longest in franchise history. The Hawks also showcased their defensive prowess with 12 steals and seven blocks, marking the third straight game at home where they recorded at least 11 steals and seven blocks.

The team’s strong defensive numbers are no surprise, as they entered the game ranked sixth in the league in steals per game (10.0) and seventh in blocks per game (7.3). Through four games this season, Atlanta has tallied 42 steals, the most through the first four games of a season since 2016-17.

Jalen Johnson’s Breakout Game

Jalen Johnson delivered a career performance, finishing with 29 points on 11-17 shooting from the field and 6-7 from the free-throw line. Johnson also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and dished out seven assists in 39 minutes of action. This was Johnson’s sixth career game with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, placing him one game shy of tying John Drew for the third-most such games in Hawks history for a player 23 years or younger.

Trae Young’s Double-Double Milestone

Trae Young recorded his 208th career double-double, surpassing Josh Smith for the seventh-most double-doubles in franchise history. Young finished the game with 14 points, 13 assists, and eight rebounds, continuing his streak of five-or-more assists to 165 consecutive games, the third-longest such streak in NBA history.

Bench Contributions

Larry Nance Jr., in his debut with the Hawks, was a key contributor off the bench, scoring 15 points on 6-9 shooting, including 3-5 from beyond the arc. Nance added three rebounds, four assists, one block, and two steals in 23 minutes. Meanwhile, Garrison Mathews added 14 points, hitting four three-pointers for the second consecutive game, marking the third time in his career he’s done so in back-to-back contests.

Wizards’ Key Performances

Jordan Poole led the way for the Wizards with 26 points on 9-17 shooting, including 6-8 from beyond the arc. Kyle Kuzma continued his strong start to the season, recording his 89th career double-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. The Wizards’ three-point shooting, particularly from Poole and Kuzma, was critical in securing their first win of the season.

Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, the Hawks continue to show signs of being a well-rounded contender early in the season. With strong team play, tenacious defense, and standout performances from Jalen Johnson and veteran leadership from Trae Young, Atlanta is poised to bounce back in their upcoming games.

Next Up: The Hawks will travel to Washington, DC, for another matchup against the Wizards on Wednesday, where they will aim to even the season series. They will return to State Farm Arena on Friday to face the Sacramento Kings in what promises to be an exciting contest as they look to maintain their early-season momentum.