Bradley Beal scored a season-high 27 points to lead four Washington players with 20-plus points and the Wizards rolled to a 122-111 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
Beal was 11 of 26 from the floor and had eight rebounds and eight assists to help Washington win for the fourth time in five games and improve to 2-0 at home.
The Wizards also got 25 points, 13 rebounds and five assists from Montrezl Harrell and 21 points and eight rebounds from both Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma.
Atlanta’s John Collins tallied 28 points and 12 rebounds to post his second straight double-double, and Cam Reddish came off the bench to score 20 points. Trae Young was limited to 15 points, but he had 13 assists.
The Wizards, behind 17 points from Beal, led by as many as 13 in the first half (53-40) and held a 64-55 advantage at halftime.
Washington built the lead to 20 points at 84-64 with 7:02 left in the third quarter, but the Hawks pecked away and cut the deficit to 100-86 after three.
The Hawks worked their way back in the game in the fourth quarter and cut the margin to 111-106 on an alley-oop pass from Young to Collins with 4:13 remaining. Following a timeout, Washington came back to score consecutive baskets by Harrell and Beal to extend the lead back to nine points and dash Atlanta’s comeback hopes.
The Hawks grew frustrated with the officials. Atlanta shot just 14 free throws and Young went to the line just three times. Atlanta was charged with four technical fouls.
Washington played without Daniel Gafford, who suffered a right quad bruise Wednesday, and Spencer Dinwiddie, who was given the night off.
The Wizards complete their two-game homestand on Saturday when they host Boston; they beat the Celtics 116-107 on Wednesday.
Atlanta completes its three-game road trip on Saturday at Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media
