CJ McCollum Spoils Trae Young's Reunion, Wizards Fall to Hawks

In the first of two games against the Atlanta Hawks this week, the Washington Wizards proved to be outmatched and watched its two game win streak snapped after falling, 120-105, on Wednesday night.

Anthony Davis led the way with 26 points and ten rebounds, his fourth double-double of the season. The veteran exited the game in the third quarter with an ankle injury before briefly going into the locker room, but returned in the fourth quarter to ease concerns.

Kyshawn George added 25 points and seven assists, while Trae Young recorded 18 points and six assists in his first game against his former team since being traded midway through last season.

Yet it may have started as the CJ McCollum game as the former Wizard and current Hawks guard was already up to ten points by the end of the first quarter, doing so in an efficient start from the floor. After trailing by five ahead of the second quarter, the Wizards then found themselves in a hole after the Hawks jumped out to a quick 8-0 lead with the Wizards eventually trailing by as many as 16, but rookie AJ Dybantsa helped Washington settle in.

Dybantsa was able to make his presence felt on both ends, including a baseline dunk that proved to be the first half highlight. After forcing a deflection in the first quarter, Dybantsa followed it up by altering the Hawks' shot attempt in the final minute of the quarter, setting up Trae Young with a transition opportunity with Anthony Davis that helped cut the deficit to single digits. While Anthony Davis added 18 points and six rebounds by halftime, Trae Young converted an and-one opportunity in the final seconds to take a seven point deficit into halftime.

Yet they wouldn't be able to cut into the deficit with Atlanta stretching its lead back to double digits in the third quarter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was responsible for one-third of Atlanta's points while Trae Young added seven points, but the Hawks were able to control the tempo with the Wizards unable to get over the hurdle.

Atlanta jumped out to a 7-2 run to begin the fourth quarter with the Wizards facing a double digit deficit throughout. The defense that carried Washington over the last two games proved overmatched on Wednesday night with Atlanta controlling the boards, turning their first seven offensive rebounds into nine second chance points.

The Wizards will look to rebound when Young returns to Atlanta for the first time, a chance to avenge the loss that dropped Washington back to .500 overall.