The Washington Wizards ended one of the most painful droughts in franchise history with a stunning 132-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. The win, fueled by a historic performance from CJ McCollum, snapped a 14-game losing streak that had dragged the team to a league-worst 2-15 record. And it wasn’t just any win — it was a statement. The Wizards opened with a season-best 45 points in the first quarter, built a 33-point lead by halftime, and never looked back. For fans who’d endured months of frustration, this was catharsis.
A Night for the Record Books
CJ McCollum didn’t just score — he obliterated expectations. The 33-year-old shooting guard dropped 46 points on 13-of-16 shooting, including a blistering 10-of-13 from beyond the arc. His 10 three-pointers tied the second-highest total in franchise history, one shy of the record set by Wizards legend Gilbert Arenas in 2006. He never trailed in the game, as the Associated Press noted — meaning the Wizards held the lead from the first basket to the final buzzer. His performance was a blend of precision and poise: no hesitation, no wasted motion. He made his first seven three-point attempts, a streak that sent the arena into a frenzy and left Atlanta’s defense scrambling.McCollum wasn’t alone. Alex Sarr, the 20-year-old center, turned heads again with 27 points and 11 rebounds — his sixth double-double of the season and fourth in five games. His mobility around the rim, combined with soft touch on floaters, made him nearly impossible to guard in the paint. The Wizards’ bench, often a liability this season, contributed 41 points, including 19 from Corey Kispert before he exited with a thumb injury midway through the third quarter. His absence was a concern, but the damage was already done.
Atlanta’s Collapse and the Numbers Behind It
The Atlanta Hawks, who entered the game at 11-8 and riding a two-game win streak, looked out of sync from the start. Kristaps Porziņģis, their 7-foot-3 star, fought hard with 22 points and 8 rebounds, but he was isolated too often against Sarr and the Wizards’ active bigs. Onyeka Okongwu added 20 points, but the Hawks’ offense stalled in the second quarter as Washington’s perimeter defense tightened. They shot just 38% from the field after halftime, and their 13 turnovers — many forced by Washington’s aggressive rotations — turned into easy fast-break points.Stats don’t lie: teams that win the rebounding battle win 72% of NBA games this season. The Wizards outrebounded Atlanta 48-37, including 14 offensive boards that led to 20 second-chance points. That’s not luck — it’s effort. And for a team that had been outworked in nearly every game this season, it was a revelation.
Breaking the Curse: A Franchise in Need of Hope
The 14-game skid was the longest for the Wizards since 2009 and the second-longest in franchise history. Only the 16-game losing streak in 2010-11 was worse. This loss streak had become a cultural burden — fans stopped showing up, local media turned cynical, and even the team’s social media feeds felt like an apology tour. Tuesday night changed that. The last time the Wizards won at home? April 2, 2025 — over the Sacramento Kings. That was 237 days ago. The arena, packed for the first time since mid-October, roared like it hadn’t in years.“We’ve been through hell,” said McCollum postgame, his voice hoarse but smiling. “This isn’t about me. It’s about the guys in this locker room who showed up every day, even when nobody was watching.”
What’s Next? A Glimmer of Momentum
The Wizards now head to Indiana on Friday to face the Pacers, who are 9-10 and coming off a tough loss to Miami. A win there could signal this wasn’t a fluke. For Atlanta, the loss was their worst since opening night — a 138-118 blowout to Toronto. They’ll host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, needing to reset quickly before the NBA’s mid-December trade deadline looms.One thing’s clear: this win didn’t fix everything. The Wizards still have the league’s 29th-ranked defense. Their bench depth remains thin. And Kispert’s thumb injury — though not expected to be long-term — is a worry. But for the first time in months, there’s a feeling in D.C. that things might be turning.
Behind the Scenes: The Rise of a New Core
The Wizards’ rebuild has been painfully slow. They’ve drafted high for years — Sarr, Dyson Daniels, Deni Avdija, Rui Hachimura — but injuries and inconsistency have stalled progress. Tuesday’s game, however, showed something new: cohesion. Sarr and McCollum are now the clear twin engines. Avdija, who had 7 assists and 5 rebounds in limited minutes, looked more confident. Even the role players — like Tristan Vukcevic and N’Faly Dante — moved with purpose. This wasn’t just a scoring outburst. It was the first time this season the team looked like a unit.Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is CJ McCollum’s 10 three-pointers in Wizards history?
McCollum’s 10 three-pointers tied for the second-highest single-game total in Washington Wizards franchise history, just one shy of Gilbert Arenas’ record of 11 set in 2006. Only three players in franchise history have made 10 or more threes in a game — and McCollum is now the first to do it since 2019. It’s the most by any player in the NBA this season.
Why did the Wizards’ first quarter matter so much?
The Wizards’ 45-point first quarter was their highest-scoring quarter since 2020 and the highest in the NBA this season. They made their first seven three-point attempts — a rare display of rhythm and confidence. That early explosion forced Atlanta into a reactive mode, and once the Hawks fell behind by 20+, they never recovered their defensive identity.
What impact does this win have on the Wizards’ rebuild?
This win could be the turning point for the Wizards’ young core. After 14 straight losses, belief was fading. Now, with Sarr and McCollum showing elite chemistry and the bench contributing, the front office may reconsider trade offers for veterans. More importantly, it gives the team’s rookies and second-year players tangible proof that their development is paying off.
Is this win a sign the Wizards are turning the corner?
One win doesn’t fix a 2-15 record, but it’s the first sign of defensive discipline and offensive flow since the season opener. The team’s net rating improved by 18 points per 100 possessions from their previous game. If they can maintain this energy — especially on the boards and in transition — they could sneak into the play-in conversation by March. But consistency remains the question.
How did the Hawks’ loss affect their playoff chances?
Atlanta’s 11-8 record still puts them in the Eastern Conference top eight, but this loss exposed their lack of depth. Without a reliable second scoring option beyond Porziņģis and Okongwu, they’re vulnerable against elite teams. Their 20-point loss is their worst since opening night, and it raises questions about their ability to compete in the playoffs without a true floor general.
What does this mean for the Emirates NBA Cup standings?
Surprisingly, this game didn’t impact the Cup standings. Both teams entered at 1-2 and remained there after the game. The NBA Cup is structured so that regular-season wins don’t count toward Cup advancement — only group-stage games do. So while the win meant everything for Washington’s morale, it was irrelevant in the Cup context. Fans were left wondering why the event even exists.