McCollum Explodes For 46 Point Outing In Win vs. Hawks (11-25-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Jon McConnell-AP
WASHINGTON D.C.— The Washington Wizards have had a rough 2025 season so far. Entering Tuesday’s NBA Cup matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, they sat at 1-15 on the season, holding a 14-game losing streak, and had never won an NBA Cup game in the three years since it was implemented.
However, veteran Wizards’ (2-15) guard CJ McCollum had an answer for that. McCollum posted a season-high 46 points and 10 three-pointers made. He shot 17-of-25 from the field and went 10-of-13 from three.
He opened the game by hitting three 3-pointers, guiding the Wizards to an early 11-2 lead in the first four minutes of the match before Atlanta (11-8) took a timeout.
Coery Kispert and Alexander Sarr were both instrumental in helping the Wizards to a 45-point first quarter, which carried them into the second quarter with a 20-point lead and never looked back. Washington never trailed once in the game.
Kispert scored 19 points, hitting 4-of-8 threes before exiting the contest in the third quarter with a thumb injury.
Sarr once again had another standout performance, with a 27-point & 11-rebound double-double while also blocking two shots and swiping two steals.
It was Sarr’s sixth double-double of the season and also his third 20+point and 10+rebound finish.
Khris Middleton flirted with a triple-double, finishing with a stat line of 10 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists, and a game-high +34 rating when on the floor.
Atlanta, which is still missing star point guard Trae Young, who’s out with an MCL knee sprain, was led by big man Kristaps Porzingis with 22 points. Onyeka Okongwu added 20 points off the bench.
The Wizards shot 50% from both the field and three (19 three-pointers).
Up Next:
Wizards take the road to face the defending East champion, the Indiana Pacers, on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
