Hawks Outlast Wizards 139-132 for First Emirates NBA Cup Win

 

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks picked up their first Emirates NBA Cup victory of the season Friday night, defeating the Washington Wizards 139-132 at State Farm Arena.

The win pushed Atlanta to 6-4, extended the Hawks’ winning streak to three games and continued their recent success against Washington. According to Hawks game notes, Atlanta has now won 13 of its last 17 meetings against the Wizards, including 11 of the last 14 at State Farm Arena.

But this one was about much more than another win over a familiar Southeast Division opponent.

Atlanta’s offense was rolling.

The Hawks handed out a season-high 38 assists, marking their league-leading seventh game this season with at least 30 assists.

According to Hawks game notes, Atlanta now has 317 assists through the first 10 games of the season, the fifth-most by any team in NBA history over that span and the first time in franchise history the Hawks have surpassed 300 assists through 10 games.

The Hawks entered the night leading the league with 30.1 assists per game, and the ball movement once again played a major role in Atlanta’s offensive success.

The Hawks also attacked the basket relentlessly, scoring a season-high 62 points in the paint.

That interior production helped Atlanta stay aggressive even as Washington continued knocking down shots from the perimeter.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 28 points, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line while adding two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

According to the Hawks, Alexander-Walker has now made 41 three-pointers through the first 10 games, the most by a player in franchise history over that span. The previous mark was 37 by Bogdan Bogdanovic during the 2022-23 season.

Luguentz Dort also delivered one of his best performances of the season.

Dort finished with 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. He added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes.

Inside, Onyeka Okongwu continued his strong stretch.

Okongwu recorded his third straight double-double, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 8-of-12 from the field, 2-of-3 from three and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.

He also tied his career high with four steals.

Over his last five games, Okongwu is averaging 16.8 points and 11.6 rebounds, and Friday marked his fifth consecutive game with at least 10 rebounds.

Atlanta also got a major lift from Aaron Wiggins, who finished with 19 points off the bench.

That depth mattered with the Hawks again playing without Jalen Johnson, who missed his third straight game because of a left ankle sprain.

Dyson Daniels nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds, along with two steals in 34 minutes.

Over Atlanta’s last two games, Daniels is a combined plus-38 and is averaging a triple-double with 10.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10 assists.

Washington had plenty of offense of its own.

Kyshawn George led all scorers with 33 points, while adding seven assists, four rebounds, one steal and two blocks.

And in his return to State Farm Arena, former Hawks star Trae Young finished with 23 points and 10 assists, recording his fourth double-double of the season.

Young also committed eight turnovers as Atlanta consistently pressured Washington’s offense.

The Wizards were without Anthony Davis, who sat out with a sprained right ankle.

Still, Washington refused to go away.

The Wizards shot the ball well from beyond the arc and continued making runs throughout the second half.

Atlanta appeared to be in control at several points, but Washington cut the Hawks’ lead to 124-123 in the fourth quarter, turning what looked like a comfortable Atlanta advantage into a one-possession game.

Even after the Hawks responded, the Wizards again pulled within three points in the closing seconds.

Atlanta remained composed.

The Hawks continued attacking, got to the free-throw line and closed the game out late to secure the seven-point victory.

The numbers showed just how efficient the offense was.

Atlanta shot 53.1 percent from the field, going 52-of-98 overall and 16-of-38 from three-point range.

Washington kept pace from deep, shooting 18-of-34 from three, but Atlanta’s ability to create easier looks in the paint and generate scoring from multiple players ultimately made the difference.

The Hawks finished with seven players in double figures and continued showing the type of balance that has fueled their early-season offense.

Alexander-Walker provided the scoring.

Dort stretched the floor.

Okongwu controlled the interior.

Daniels created opportunities for teammates.

And Wiggins gave Atlanta another major scoring option off the bench.

For the Hawks, Friday night was another example of what the offense can look like when the ball is moving.

139 points.
38 assists.
62 points in the paint.
And Atlanta’s first Emirates NBA Cup victory.

Against a Wizards team led by a very familiar face, the Hawks made sure Trae Young’s return to State Farm Arena ended with Atlanta walking away with the win.

Up Next: Atlanta returns to action Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the Brooklyn Nets at State Farm Arena. The Hawks then welcome the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET.