Hawks Blow Out Wizards 119-98 as Kuminga Debuts with Season-High 27
State Farm Arena had two storylines to follow Tuesday night — the return of Trae Young to Atlanta and the debut of newly acquired Jonathan Kuminga in a Hawks uniform. By the final buzzer, it was Kuminga who commanded the spotlight. The former Golden State forward delivered a season-high 27 points in his first game as a Hawk, pacing Atlanta to a commanding 119-98 victory over the Washington Wizards before a crowd of 15,417 fans. The win was never seriously in doubt, as Atlanta led by 15 after the first quarter and never looked back through three of the four frames.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Q1: ATL 35, WSH 20 — Hawks Set the Tone Early
Atlanta came out firing and made an immediate statement in the opening 12 minutes, outscoring Washington 35-20. The Hawks shot efficiently, pushed pace in transition, and established an interior presence that the Wizards struggled to answer. The 15-point cushion built in the first quarter would prove to be a comfortable foundation for the rest of the evening.
Q2: ATL 25, WSH 23 — Wizards Stabilize, but Can’t Cut Into Lead
Washington played the second quarter much closer, keeping pace at 25-23, but could not generate enough momentum to threaten the Atlanta lead. The Hawks’ halftime advantage held at 60-43, giving head coach Quin Snyder’s group a 17-point buffer heading into the locker room. The Wizards simply had no consistent answer for what Atlanta was doing on both ends of the floor.
Q3: ATL 40, WSH 21 — Hawks Deliver the Knockout Blow
If the first quarter set the tone, the third quarter effectively ended the game. Atlanta posted an enormous 40-point third period while limiting Washington to just 21, ballooning the lead to as many as 36 points at various stages. It was the Hawks’ most dominant quarter of the night, and it rendered the fourth quarter a formality before it even began.
Q4: WSH 34, WSH 19 — Garbage Time Belongs to Washington
With the game well out of reach, Atlanta’s starters checked out early in the fourth quarter. Washington outscored the reserves-heavy Hawks 34-19 in the final frame, producing the only quarter of the night they won — though it was entirely cosmetic. The final score stood at Atlanta 119, Washington 98.
Key Performers
Jonathan Kuminga — ATL | 27 PTS, 7 REB
Kuminga wasted no time making an impression in his Atlanta debut. The 22-year-old forward, acquired ahead of the trade deadline, posted a season-high 27 points and added 7 rebounds in a performance that immediately justified the Hawks’ investment. He led all scorers on the night and topped the game-rating leaderboard, flashing the athleticism and scoring versatility that made him an attractive trade target. It was as strong a debut as Atlanta could have asked for from their newest piece.
Mouhamed Gueye — ATL | 11 REB
The young Atlanta forward led all players on the boards Tuesday night, hauling down 11 rebounds to pace what was an overwhelming team rebounding effort. Atlanta finished the game with a remarkable 61 total rebounds — a number that speaks to their dominance on the glass throughout the contest.
Onyeka Okongwu — ATL | 7 AST
Okongwu was Atlanta’s top playmaker on the night, distributing seven assists to lead the team. His ability to facilitate from the center position added another dimension to an Atlanta offense that totaled 33 assists on 42 made field goals, reflecting a fluid, ball-movement-oriented attack.
Washington’s Leading Scorer — WSH | 18 PTS
The Wizards’ top scorer on the night managed 18 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to challenge an Atlanta team that was firing on all cylinders. Washington as a unit shot poorly and could not generate the defensive stops needed to stay in contention after the first quarter.
Game Analysis
From a tactical standpoint, this was a complete performance by Atlanta across the first three quarters. The Hawks finished the game shooting 39.3% from the field on 107 attempts — a volume-heavy approach — while going 12-of-50 from three-point range (24%). Those shooting numbers are modest on their face, but Atlanta compensated by getting to the free-throw line effectively, converting 23 of 26 attempts (88.5%), and by absolutely overwhelming Washington on the glass with 61 total rebounds.
The 33 assists on 42 made baskets is perhaps the most telling team statistic of the night. Atlanta moved the ball freely, found open looks consistently, and generated easy opportunities off ball movement and transition. Washington, for their part, lacked the defensive cohesion and offensive firepower to keep pace in what continues to be a difficult season for the franchise.
Kuminga’s debut is the headline, and rightly so. Fitting a new player into an NBA system in real time is always a work in progress, but his 27-point opener suggests the transition to Atlanta’s system may be smoother than anticipated. His ability to score in the mid-range and attack the rim gave the Hawks a different offensive dimension, one that will be worth watching as the postseason push intensifies.
Standings and Series Context
With the win, Atlanta improves to 29-31 on the season — a .484 winning percentage that keeps them squarely in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. The Hawks are 12-16 at home and a surprisingly strong 17-15 on the road. Every game from this point forward carries added weight as Atlanta looks to secure a postseason position, making Kuminga’s arrival and Tuesday’s convincing performance a timely development. Washington, meanwhile, continues to navigate a rebuilding campaign that has produced few highlights in 2025-26. The Wizards will look to regroup as they return home following this road loss.
