The Washington Wizards are set for game two of a back-to-back against the Atlanta Hawks
Washington Wizards (16-41) (5-22 away) vs. Atlanta Hawks (29-31) (12-16 home)
When: Thursday, February 26 7:30 PM
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington D.C.
TV: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
The Washington Wizards face off against the Atlanta Hawks for their second consecutive game, and last of the season. On Tuesday, Washington fell to Trae Young's former team in a homecoming for the once Hawk superstar, 119-98. This came without Young suiting up for action.
The Wizards now trail the Hawks in the season series with a record of 1-2, their last win against them happening in late November, where they cruised to a 132-113 win. With their loss on Tuesday, they lose their second straight and are now 2-3 in their last five.
Wizards guard Will Riley led the team with 18-points last game, one of the only four Wizards to reach double-digit scoring. Washington also lost three out of the four quarters in the scoring column, two of those quarters losing by 15 and 19 points, really burying themselves in the deficit.
Thursdays game, Washington will look to slow down Jonathan Kuminga, the newest Hawk after they got him from Golden State. Kuminga was Atlanta's biggest spoiler in Young's homecoming with 27-points.
Former Wizards players CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert reunited with their old teammates, leaving when they were packaged in the Young trade deal. Both had a solid outing with Kispert finishing with 12-points and McCollum with 8-points of his own.
Another area Washington will need to look at this game will be staying disciplined with their fouls. Last game, they let up 26 free throw, where Atlanta capitalized with 23 made. Right there, you've got a whole different story to last game, where they could easily have made it a game.
As of Thursday morning, forwards Kyshawn George (Knee) and Tristan Vukcevic (Hip) are listed as game-time decision for the Wizards. Meanwhile for Atlanta, Jalen Johnson (Hip), Zacchaire Risacher (Hip), and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Foot) are all listed as GTD on their end.
There was also a question as to whether Trae Young would make his Wizards debut in game two against his former team, but that also won't come to fruition on Thursday night with the veteran point guard still ruled out with a right knee injury, MCL sprain and quad contusion. General manager Will Dawkins has expressed continued optimism around both Young and Anthony Davis making their Wizards debut at some point this season.