The Atlanta Hawks took care of business at State Farm Arena on Thursday night, rolling past the Washington Wizards 126-96 in a wire-to-wire victory that was never seriously in doubt. Corey Kispert delivered a career-defining performance with 33 points, Dyson Daniels orchestrated the offense with 11 assists, and Onyeka Okongwu dominated the glass with 11 rebounds as Atlanta put together one of its most complete games of the season. The 15,828 fans in attendance witnessed a Hawks squad that controlled the tempo from the opening tip and never let Washington find a rhythm.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter: Hawks Set the Tone Early
Atlanta wasted no time establishing control, outscoring Washington 37-26 in the opening frame. The Hawks moved the ball crisply — finishing the game with 30 team assists — and got quality looks on both wings and in transition. Washington’s offense sputtered from the start, committing turnovers and struggling to convert inside. The 11-point deficit after 12 minutes signaled early that this would be a challenging night for the Wizards.
Second Quarter: Atlanta Extends the Lead
The Wizards showed some fight in the second quarter, outscoring the Hawks 30-26 in a competitive stretch, but Atlanta’s lead only grew. A 39-30 edge in the period pushed the halftime margin to 76-56. The Hawks continued to attack the paint and push in transition, while Washington’s half-court offense provided just enough to keep the score from becoming embarrassing before the break. Atlanta entered the locker room in complete command.
Third Quarter: Washington’s Best Period
The third quarter was the Wizards’ strongest stretch of the night, as they outscored Atlanta 24-22 and showed some of the development that makes their young roster worth watching. Washington trimmed the deficit slightly, but the Hawks’ 20-point cushion entering the final frame was more than enough insurance. Atlanta never showed any signs of panic, playing a controlled brand of basketball that kept Washington from mounting any meaningful run.
Fourth Quarter: Hawks Close Strong
Atlanta put the game away decisively in the fourth, outscoring Washington 28-16 to push the final margin to 30 points. The Wizards’ offense all but disappeared down the stretch, scoring just 16 points in the final period as Atlanta’s defense locked in. The Hawks’ ball movement and second-chance opportunities — they finished with 56 rebounds to Washington’s 44 — proved to be the difference in an already comfortable win.
Key Performers
Corey Kispert — Atlanta Hawks (33 PTS, 6 REB)
Kispert was the clear standout of the night, pouring in a game-high 33 points to earn the top efficiency rating of any player on the floor. The forward was a consistent force throughout, hitting shots from multiple areas of the court and capitalizing whenever Washington’s defense gave him space. His 33-point output was a testament to both his shooting ability and the Hawks’ system of ball movement, which generated clean looks all evening.
Dyson Daniels — Atlanta Hawks (11 AST)
Daniels ran the show for Atlanta, finishing with a game-high 11 assists to go along with his defensive contributions. His ability to find cutters and shooters — including Kispert — was central to the Hawks’ offensive efficiency. Atlanta’s 30 team assists on 42 made field goals is a reflection of Daniels’ impact on the game’s flow. The Australian guard continues to grow as a facilitator and defensive anchor for this Atlanta squad.
Onyeka Okongwu — Atlanta Hawks (11 REB)
Okongwu led all players in rebounding with 11 boards, anchoring a Hawks frontcourt that dominated Washington in the paint. Atlanta’s 56-44 rebounding advantage was a significant factor in the margin of victory, giving the Hawks additional possessions and limiting Washington to one shot on most trips down the floor. Okongwu’s energy and physicality set the tone on both ends.
Will Riley — Washington Wizards (14 PTS, 10 REB)
Riley was Washington’s lone bright spot, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The young guard showed flashes of the potential that makes him an intriguing piece of Washington’s rebuild, but even his best efforts could not generate any sustained momentum for the Wizards on a difficult night in Atlanta.
Bub Carrington — Washington Wizards (5 AST)
Carrington led Washington’s assist column with five, providing some playmaking off the bench for the Wizards. It was a modest return on a night when Washington’s offense — shooting just 38.3% from the field — could not generate consistent scoring from any position.
Game Analysis
This game came down to two simple factors: shot-making and rebounding. Atlanta shot 46.2% from the field compared to Washington’s 38.3%, and the Hawks’ 12-rebound advantage led directly to additional scoring opportunities. Atlanta attempted 91 field goals to Washington’s 94, so the difference in efficiency and second-chance points was the story. The Hawks also got to the free-throw line far more frequently, attempting 37 free throws to Washington’s 16, adding another layer of scoring depth that the Wizards could not match.
Washington’s three-point shooting was also a concern, connecting on just 9-of-33 attempts (27.3%) compared to Atlanta’s 13-of-39 (33.3%). Neither team shot the ball particularly well from deep, but the Hawks’ superior two-point efficiency and free-throw volume made the difference a decisive one. For Washington, the bright spots remain their young players — Riley and Carrington in particular — as the franchise continues its rebuild with an eye toward the future rather than the present standings.
For Atlanta, the ball movement was the most encouraging sign. Thirty assists as a team indicates an engaged, unselfish roster that is playing within a system. Kispert’s 33 points were the product of good team offense just as much as individual brilliance, and that kind of balanced attack gives the Hawks multiple ways to beat opponents on any given night.
Standings and Series Implications
With the win, the Atlanta Hawks improve to 30-31 on the season, moving back to the .500 mark and keeping their postseason aspirations alive in a competitive Eastern Conference. Notably, Atlanta carries a strong 17-15 road record, though their 13-16 mark at home reveals some inconsistency at State Farm Arena. This victory is a step in the right direction as the Hawks look to position themselves for a play-in tournament spot or better in the final stretch of the regular season. The Washington Wizards fall to 16-42, continuing a difficult campaign as they develop their young core. With a 5-23 road record, road victories remain elusive for this rebuilding squad, but the performances of players like Riley and Carrington offer genuine reason for optimism heading into the offseason.
