The Washington Wizards claimed their first win of the season Monday night, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 121-119 in a close contest, thanks to standout performances from Jordan Poole, Kyle Kuzma, and Corey Kispert. Poole led the Wizards with 26 points, while Kuzma posted a double-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, proving instrumental in Washington’s second-half comeback.
Kispert contributed 21 points off the bench, connecting on multiple three-pointers to help Washington gain control in the final minutes. The Wizards shot a season-high 21 three-pointers, capitalizing on their perimeter shooting to counterbalance 13 first-half turnovers.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 29 points and 12 rebounds, filling the void left by injured teammates De’Andre Hunter and Bogdan Bogdanović. Trae Young was limited to 2-for-15 shooting but managed 14 points and 13 assists, although his potential game-winning three-pointer missed at the buzzer.
A pivotal defensive play came in the last moments when Washington’s Bilal Coulibaly contested Young’s three-point attempt, preventing a potential Hawks comeback. The Wizards’ adjustments in the second half, which reduced their turnovers, were crucial in holding off a late Atlanta surge.
Kuzma’s resilience proved vital as he pushed through a shaky start to the season, securing the Wizards’ narrow victory before briefly exiting in the fourth quarter due to an apparent injury. Washington’s rookie Alex Sarr also made an impact with nine rebounds, overcoming a chilly reception from the crowd after declining to work out with the Hawks during the draft process.
