NBA: High-scoring Hawks dump Wizards

Washington Wizards forward Eugene Omoruyi (97) complains as a foul is called on Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON — Trae Young had 26 points and 10 assists and the Atlanta Hawks handed the Washington Wizards their ninth consecutive loss, 136-108 on Saturday night.

Atlanta had lost three of four entering this game, but the Hawks had no trouble with the rebuilding Wizards. They went on a 10-2 run to take a 70-58 halftime lead and were up by 29 after three quarters.

“It just shows that we’re getting more comfortable with what we’re doing,” Young said. “It’s good to lead from wire to wire like that and come out with a big victory.”

On an island and it's freezing 🥶 pic.twitter.com/yb588VZAgU

— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) November 26, 2023

Washington (2-14) fell into a tie with Detroit for the NBA’s worst record. The Pistons host the Wizards on Monday night. Washington turned the ball over 20 times, leading to 27 Atlanta points.

“The energy in the building was down,” Wizards guard Landry Shamet said. “That’s when you got to be able to create some energy for yourself. We never did that.”

Washington was without guard Jordan Poole, who was out with left ankle soreness. The Hawks lost Jalen Johnson to a left wrist injury after he scored eight points in just 8:28 of playing time.

The Hawks and Wizards are among the fastest-paced teams in the league. In fact, Atlanta had scored 299 points in its previous two games, a loss to Indiana and an overtime win over Brooklyn. By that standard, the Hawks’ 34-30 lead after the first quarter over Washington was tame.

It was still close when Atlanta began to pull away at the end of the second quarter. Young and De’Andre Hunter made back-to-back 3-pointers to make it a 12-point game at the half. The Hawks then outscored the Wizards by 17 in the third and led by as many as 36 in the fourth.

Atlanta was able to substitute liberally in the fourth quarter. This game was the start of a five-game road trip and the first half of a back-to-back for the Hawks.

“NBA players, they’re at the pinnacle of the sport,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “In situations like tonight where there’s a lot of guys that put a lot of time in, it’s good to see that they have an opportunity to play.”

For their part, the Wizards also did plenty of subbing. Twelve Washington players appeared in the game, each for at least 12 minutes.

Jared Butler led the Wizards with 13 points. Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford and Shamet scored 12 apiece.

Hunter scored 20 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic contributed 15 for Atlanta. Clint Capela had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Dejounte Murray added 11 points and 10 assists.

Washington was on the second night of a back-to-back after losing by three at Milwaukee.

“We don’t want to use back-to-backs as an excuse, but playing a championship team, then coming to play the Atlanta Hawks, that’s tough,” Gafford said. “It’s the NBA, and nobody’s going to feel sorry for us.”

UP NEXT

Hawks: At Boston on Sunday night.

Wizards: At Detroit on Monday night.