Corey Kispert admits to the strange feeling he felt after dropping a new career-high against the very team that drafted him.
Facing the franchise that drafted him is always a unique experience, but Atlanta Hawks sharpshooter Corey Kispert didn't just treat his return against the Washington Wizards like any other game — he made it count.
Kispert poured in a career-high 33 points against his former team Saturday. After the game, he admitted it felt unusual to compete against his former teammates, though he made clear the respect runs deep. There was no bitterness — just a competitor embracing the opportunity in front of him.
In his first matchup against the Wizards since the trade, Kispert played 21 minutes and finished with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting, adding two assists and three rebounds. Solid, but unremarkable. He was still finding his footing against a roster he knew inside and out.
The rematch was a different story.
Kispert went off for 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting, pulled down six rebounds, and helped Atlanta roll to a 126-96 blowout win. It was the kind of performance that raises a question the Hawks have to be asking themselves — how much have they been leaving on the table with him?
Speaking to reporters afterward, Kispert described the experience as surreal. Playing against familiar faces in a different jersey brought a mix of emotions — but his appreciation for his time in Washington never wavered.
"I spent my whole career competing against these guys in practice," Kispert said. "And to do it in a different uniform now felt funny, especially two days ago. Today felt a little bit more normal. I have unbelievable relationships with the guys on the other side. I felt like it was seeing old friends that I've missed since the trade."
Through 21 games in Atlanta, Kispert is averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 45.6% from the field and 36.5% from 3-point range. He has also knocked down 89.7% of his free throw attempts. The numbers reflect a player who has settled in and is contributing steadily on both ends.
Now the Hawks need more of it. With Atlanta sitting at 30-31, the margin for error is shrinking, and the playoff picture is tightening by the week. Kispert's shooting, floor spacing, and ability to get hot quickly make him a key piece of whatever the Hawks are trying to build down the stretch.
Saturday was a reminder of what he's capable of. The question now is how often he can deliver it.