Washington Wizards Fourth Quarter Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Atlanta Hawks
The Washington Wizards dropped their final game of 2023 130-126 to the Atlanta Hawks.
Despite a huge game for Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma going for 38 points, eight rebounds and five assist they couldn't keep pace with the Hawks.
READ MORE: Kuzma Receives Award for Work in Community
Atlanta fended off the late surge from Washington as they got a big game from guard Trae Young.
Young had 40 points on 57 percent shooting and added 13 assist.
He wasn't the only one with a hot hand tonight for the Hawks as guard Dejounte Murray had 32 points.
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) celebrates with guard Jordan Poole (13) during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at Capital One Arena.
Mandatory Credit: James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports
Murray and Young killed the Wizards in the pick-and-roll game, at times it was like they were playing a video game, just continuously spamming the screen button.
You can't blame them though, they were constantly getting to the rim and hitting floaters or dropping it off to forward Jalen Johnson who had 24 points on an impressive 9-for-12 shooting.
Atlanta out-rebounded Washington 58-42 and had a 20-7 advantage in second chance points.
One would think the Wizards will be disappointed only losing by four after giving the Hawks 20 second chance points.
A couple more defensive rebounds on those possessions and Washington celebrates a win on this New Years Eve.
Another stat that Atlanta had a huge advantage in was free throw attempts, taking 37 compared to 21 for the Wizards including 19 from Young alone.
Another bright spot besides the performance from Kuzma was Washington forward Deni Avdija who had another good game, finishing with a second consecutive double-double.
Avdija was the Wizards leading rebounder with 12 and also had 17 points.
Washington took 53 three-pointers tonight, a new franchise record, which is a ton and makes you question what this teams identity really is.
It has been a roller coaster in three-point attempts for the Wizards seemingly not being able to find a happy medium.
Washington gets a couple day’s off to celebrate the New Year before they head to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (18-14) on Wednesday January 3rd.
Even with the loss the Wizards are improving and we can expect them to be better in the 2024 half of the season.
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