Hawks Blow Out Wizards Behind McCollum, Kispert

Atlanta’s new additions hurt their former team Thursday night. CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert shined against the Washington Wizards, leading the Hawks to a decisive 126-96 victory in what was the second game of a two-game homestand.

This matchup had special significance as it pitted Atlanta against the team they had traded Trae Young to in January. The Hawks received McCollum and Kispert in return for that transaction, and this gamble proved successful on this night.

Even though Alexandre Sarr was not playing, the game also featured a French duel between Bilal Coulibaly and Zaccharie Risacher. The former scored 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and worked hard defensively to limit the damage for the Wizards while Risacher returned to the starting lineup in the absence of Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jalen Johnson. In under 25 minutes of play, the Hawks forward compiled 8 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

ZACCH RISACHER 😤😤 pic.twitter.com/1rcOlESRqu

— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) February 27, 2026

Kispert explodes in first half with career high

Corey Kispert delivered an exceptional performance, setting a new career high with 33 points, including 22 scored in the first half alone. The forward entered the game with 4 minutes and 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter and immediately caught fire, making his first 5 three-point attempts over the next 10 minutes.

Ultimately, Kispert finished the game with 6 makes on 11 three-point attempts, demonstrating remarkable accuracy that quickly widened the gap. Meanwhile, C.J. McCollum, who has established himself in the starting lineup since his arrival, added 25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

The veteran guard notably hit a three-pointer from 27 feet followed by a free throw just before halftime, extending Atlanta’s lead to 75-56. This sequence definitively put the Hawks on the path to success.

LIRE AUSSI

Trae Young traded to Wizards for McCollum and Kispert

8 janv. 2026

Sylvain Sultat

Dyson Daniels also contributed with 13 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds and 5 steals, matching his season high in that category. For the Wizards, Will Riley and Tre Johnson led the offense with 14 points each, but it wasn’t enough against Atlanta’s offensive efficiency.

The Wizards had to make do without Anthony Davis and Trae Young, both injured, while the Hawks started Jonathan Kuminga and Zacharie Risacher in place of Jalen Johnson (hip) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot).