Hawks hand Wizards a 120-105 loss at Capital One Arena

The Wizards could not hold off Atlanta on Saturday night, losing 120-105 at Capital One Arena to fall to 4-4 on the season. The Hawks improved to 5-4.

Washington got contributions. Anthony Davis finished with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Kyshawn George handed out 7 assists. It was not enough.

Atlanta had answers for everything the Wizards threw out. Nickeil Alexander-Walker matched Davis point for point, finishing with 26 of his own. He got going early, knocking down a 23-foot three with an assist from Onyeka Okongwu, then added a 25-foot running pullup to keep the Hawks ahead.

Okongwu was the story on the glass. He pulled down 16 rebounds and was a constant presence around the basket, also knocking down a 25-foot three off a Kingston Flemings assist in the first period. Flemings had opened the scoring with a three of his own, a 25-footer with Okongwu setting him up in return.

Davis did his part. He scored on an 11-foot jumper, a 12-foot fadeaway, a driving layup, and a 1-foot dunk, all with assists flowing from Trae Young, who was busy running Atlanta's offense all night. Dyson Daniels led the Hawks with 8 assists.

Washington had moments. Alex Sarr converted a driving layup off a Kyshawn George feed. George himself connected on a 29-foot running jumper late in the first period, threading through Atlanta's defense with help from Young's pass. AJ Dybantsa added a 12-foot turnaround jumper and finished an assist on Davis's dunk.

But the Hawks were steadier, more physical on the boards, and Alexander-Walker kept finding ways to score. His 25-foot running pullup early in the game set the tone for how difficult Washington's defense would find him all night.

Okongwu's 16 rebounds, many of them on the offensive end, gave Atlanta second chances the Wizards could not afford to give up.