Washington Wizards Fall to Atlanta Hawks 120-105 as Three-Point Shooting Proves Costly
Washington Wizards Fall to Atlanta Hawks 120-105 as Three-Point Shooting Proves Costly
By Brian Hradsky
November 5, 2026 | Maryland Sports Blog
The Washington Wizards fell to the Atlanta Hawks 120-105 Wednesday night, November 4, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Wizards struggled to contain Atlanta’s perimeter shooting and rebounding, allowing the Hawks to take control of the contest. Anthony Davis and Kyshawn George combined for 51 points, but their performances were not enough to overcome Atlanta’s balanced offensive attack. The loss dropped Washington to 4-4 on the season, while Atlanta improved to 5-4.
Atlanta Hawks Establish Control Early
Atlanta wasted little time establishing its offensive rhythm, scoring 37 points in the opening quarter to take a 37-32 advantage. The Hawks continued their momentum into the second quarter, putting together a 13-0 run that extended their lead to 48-32. Washington struggled to slow Atlanta’s ball movement and transition opportunities during the stretch. However, the Wizards responded before halftime, cutting the deficit to 68-61 and keeping themselves within striking distance.
Washington continued fighting during the third quarter, twice reducing Atlanta’s lead to four points. Trae Young connected on a step-back three-pointer that brought the Wizards within 83-79, giving the home crowd hope for a comeback. Former Washington guard Corey Kispert immediately answered with a four-point play, helping Atlanta regain momentum. The Hawks entered the fourth quarter leading 93-85 and outscored Washington 27-20 over the final 12 minutes to secure the 15-point victory.
Anthony Davis Leads Washington With 26 Points
Anthony Davis delivered another productive performance for Washington, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Davis shot 12-for-19 from the field, providing the Wizards with an efficient scoring presence around the basket. His contributions helped Washington outscore Atlanta 62-50 in the paint, demonstrating the team’s ability to generate offense inside. Unfortunately, Washington could not match that success on the perimeter or consistently finish defensive possessions.
Kyshawn George continued his promising start to the season with 25 points, seven assists and four rebounds. George converted 10 of his 14 field-goal attempts and connected on three shots from beyond the arc. His efficiency and playmaking helped keep Washington competitive during several stretches of the game. The young forward continues to establish himself as an important contributor alongside Washington’s veteran players.
Young finished with 18 points and six assists in his first matchup against Atlanta since being traded to Washington in January. The veteran guard helped direct the Wizards’ offense and contributed to their third-quarter comeback attempt. However, Atlanta’s defensive pressure and superior three-point shooting prevented Washington from sustaining its momentum. Despite receiving 69 combined points from Davis, George and Young, the Wizards lacked enough complementary production to complete the comeback.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Powers Atlanta’s Offense
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 26 points, including six successful three-pointers. His perimeter shooting created significant problems for Washington’s defense and helped the Hawks maintain control whenever the Wizards threatened to close the gap. Alexander-Walker continued his impressive shooting stretch after connecting on nine three-pointers against Indiana earlier in the week. His offensive performance highlighted Atlanta’s ability to create quality opportunities from beyond the arc.
CJ McCollum and Aaron Wiggins each contributed 15 points, providing Atlanta with additional scoring options. Onyeka Okongwu finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds, while rookie Kingston Flemings added 14 points in his first NBA start. Dyson Daniels delivered an impressive all-around performance with eight points, 16 rebounds and eight assists. Atlanta’s balanced production proved particularly important with Jalen Johnson unavailable because of a sprained left ankle.
Three-Point Shooting and Rebounding Decide the Game
Atlanta’s biggest advantage came from three-point range, where the Hawks connected on 19 of their 49 attempts. Washington made just six of its 26 attempts, creating a 39-point difference in scoring from beyond the arc. Although the Wizards enjoyed greater success inside, they could not compensate for Atlanta’s perimeter production. The Hawks consistently generated open opportunities through effective passing, finishing with 34 assists.
Rebounding also played a significant role in Washington’s defeat, as Atlanta controlled the glass by a 63-48 margin. Okongwu and Daniels combined for 32 rebounds, helping the Hawks secure additional possessions and limit Washington’s opportunities. The Wizards struggled to establish consistent defensive positioning, particularly when Atlanta forced rotations with its perimeter movement. Washington will need to improve its defensive rebounding and three-point coverage to avoid similar results moving forward.
Washington Wizards Player Statistics
- Anthony Davis: 26 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists
- Kyshawn George: 25 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists
- Trae Young: 18 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists
- Alex Sarr: 11 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist
- AJ Dybantsa: 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Atlanta Hawks Player Statistics
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 26 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
- CJ McCollum: 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
- Aaron Wiggins: 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
- Onyeka Okongwu: 14 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists
- Kingston Flemings: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists
MSB Take: Washington Must Improve Its Perimeter Defense
The Wizards have demonstrated encouraging offensive potential during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NBA season, but Wednesday’s loss exposed several important weaknesses. Washington cannot consistently compete against quality opponents while surrendering 19 three-pointers and losing the rebounding battle by 15. The Wizards possess talented offensive players capable of producing impressive individual performances, yet team defense remains a significant concern. Head coach Brian Keefe must find ways to improve defensive communication, rebounding discipline and perimeter coverage.
George’s development remains one of Washington’s most encouraging early-season storylines. His efficient 25-point performance demonstrated his ability to contribute alongside established veterans without requiring excessive shot attempts. Davis continues to provide reliable interior scoring and rebounding, while Young gives Washington another experienced offensive creator. If the Wizards can develop stronger defensive chemistry around those players, they have the offensive foundation to become more competitive.
Washington’s struggles against Atlanta also highlighted the importance of roster depth and balanced scoring. The Wizards received outstanding performances from their leading contributors but could not match Atlanta’s production throughout the lineup. The Hawks received meaningful contributions from several players, including their reserves, and consistently capitalized on Washington’s defensive mistakes. Developing more reliable secondary scoring options will be another important objective as the season progresses.
What’s Next for the Washington Wizards?
Washington will have an immediate opportunity to respond when the Wizards travel to Atlanta on Friday, November 6, for an NBA Cup matchup. The quick turnaround provides Keefe and his coaching staff with limited time to address the defensive problems that contributed to Wednesday’s loss. Washington must contest perimeter shots more effectively, protect the defensive glass and maintain its offensive efficiency. A victory in Atlanta would provide an encouraging response and help the Wizards regain momentum during the early portion of the season.
The Wizards have enough offensive talent to challenge opponents, but consistent defensive execution will determine how successful this team becomes. Wednesday’s defeat serves as another reminder that individual scoring performances cannot always overcome breakdowns in team defense. Washington will need a more complete effort in the rematch to avoid another disappointing result. The opportunity to make those adjustments arrives quickly as the Wizards continue their 2026-27 campaign.
