ATLANTA – Dyson Daniels showcased an impressive performance, scoring 25 points, helping the Atlanta Hawks secure a 129-117 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. With this win, the Hawks improved to a perfect 2-0 in the NBA Cup series.
On the other side, Kyle Kuzma led the Wizards with 24 points, while Jordan Poole contributed 22 points, and rookie Alex Sarr made an impactful debut with a career-high of 20 points. Despite their efforts, the Wizards recorded their seventh consecutive loss during this NBA Cup opener, further adding to their struggles this season.
With the current standings, Washington now holds a record of 2-9, with both of their wins obtained against Atlanta in the early part of the season. Daniels, who recently achieved a career-high of 28 points in a close win over the reigning NBA champions, displayed a promising form, making 10 out of 14 shot attempts and leading the team with six steals.
Jalen Johnson also made significant contributions for the Hawks, scoring 18 points, alongside 13 rebounds and seven assists. Furthermore, Trae Young added 18 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine assists.
In noteworthy moments, rookie Sarr, selected second overall in this year’s NBA draft, not only scored 20 points but also grabbed seven rebounds and made four steals. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick, added 11 points, making this matchup notable as it featured the top two picks hailing from France.
On the side for Atlanta, De’Andre Hunter made his long-awaited return after missing ten games due to a right knee injury and personal matters, scoring 22 points in just 21 minutes. Risacher continued to start at small forward, a position previously held by Hunter, who was back in action. Young also returned to the lineup after missing one game due to right Achilles tendinitis.
A pivotal moment came when the Wizards built a 39-29 lead going into the second quarter; however, Atlanta responded emphatically. Johnson’s three-point play helped spark a 12-0 run that shifted the momentum in favor of the Hawks, propelling them to a 54-43 lead. Atlanta dominated the second quarter, outscoring Washington 30-11, which was crucial in securing the victory.
In an impressive milestone, Young assisted Daniels for a three-pointer early in the third quarter, marking Young’s 4,000th career assist. He had previously surpassed Doc Rivers for the most assists in franchise history during last season.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will be heading to Portland, while the Wizards will return home to face the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.