Jalen Johnson had a triple-double for the second straight game as the Atlanta Hawks took down the Washington Wizards 131-116 on the road Saturday night. The Hawks’ win ended a three-game skid and extended the Wizards’ losing streak to three. Here’s what went down in D.C.
Hawks Hit Cruise Control Too Early, Wake Up Late
Atlanta jumped out to an early lead by dominating in the paint, a trend that would continue throughout the game. The Hawks scored 11 of their first 14 buckets from inside the lane, while holding Washington to just four baskets there. They led 35-28 after the first quarter. The trend continued in the second quarter, as the Hawks outscored the Wizards 20-8 inside and stretched their lead to 15 at halftime.
The lead increased to 18 in the third quarter before Washington stormed back. The Wizards went on a 23-8 run to end the third and start the fourth, to tie the game at 97. That woke up the Hawks, though, who then went on an 8-0 run of their own, including two big three-pointers by Vít Krejčí off the bench. Atlanta never looked back and powered through to the win. For the game, the Hawks outscored the Wizards 70-42 in the paint and outrebounded them 45-26.
Johnson Stays Hot for the Hawks
Johnson had his second straight triple-double (and fourth of the season), scoring 30 points, pulling down 12 rebounds and dishing out 12 assists. The 2021 first-round pick had 21 points, 18 boards and 16 assists Friday night in Atlanta’s one-point loss to the Denver Nuggets. Coming into Saturday night’s game at the Capital One Arena, Johnson was averaging career-highs in points (23.1), rebounds (10.4) and assists (7.7) in his fifth season.
Johnson had plenty of help on Saturday. Center Onyeka Okongwu had 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals. Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 17 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Krejčí, Dyson Daniels, Luke Kennard, and Asa Newell all scored in double figures as well. The Hawks’ bench shot 8-of-14 on three-pointers. Atlanta was playing without Trae Young (sprained left MCL) and Kristaps Porzingis (rest).
Washington Hot Beyond the Arc in the Loss
The Wizards hit 17 three-pointers in the game and shot 45 percent from beyond the arc. C.J. McCollum had seven of those three-pointers en route to 28 points on the night. Justin Champagnie pitched in 16 points, five rebounds and three blocks. Kyshawn George added 15 points, six rebounds, and seven assists and Carlton Carrington had 14 points and nine assists. Washington also got 18 points from Tristan Vukcevic and 15 points from Will Riley off the bench. The Wizards‘ leading scorer and rebounder, seven-footer Alex Sarr, missed his fourth straight game with a sore right adductor.
What’s Up Next?
Both teams are now off until next Friday. Atlanta (14-11) will travel to Detroit for a matchup against the Pistons (19-5). Washington (3-19) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (14-11).
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