When CJ McCollum stepped onto the court at Capital One Arena on Tuesday night, November 25, 2025, he didn’t just want to win—he wanted to make history. And he did. The 33-year-old shooting guard dropped 46 points, including a blistering 10 three-pointers, to lead the Washington Wizards to a 132-113 rout of the Atlanta Hawks, finally snapping a 14-game losing streak that had haunted the franchise since October. It wasn’t just a win. It was a reckoning. The Wizards hadn’t won at home since April 2, 2025. They were 0-6 in D.C. this season. No one expected this. Not even the fans who showed up with coats on, bracing for another disappointment.
A First Quarter for the Ages
The Wizards didn’t just start strong—they exploded. Their first seven three-point attempts? All swishes. By the time the first quarter ended, they’d poured in 45 points, the most any NBA team had scored in a single quarter all season. The Hawks? Just 16. At one point, the lead ballooned to 29 points, and the crowd, long silent, roared like it was Game 7 of the Finals. "Yeah, Washington had their largest lead of 29 at 45-16 with about 1:56 left in the quarter. That can’t happen," one commentator muttered, as if warning the Hawks they were already dead. They weren’t wrong.
McCollum was the engine. He didn’t just shoot—he dissected defenses. He pulled up from 30 feet. He caught fire off screens. He even drove hard to the rim, finishing through contact. He missed just three shots total from the field, and only three from beyond the arc. One shy of the franchise record. One shy of his own career best. And he did it with the kind of calm that only veterans possess. "He’s not just hot," said a longtime Wizards analyst. "He’s surgical. He knows exactly where the space is before it opens."
A New Star Emerges
But McCollum wasn’t alone. Enter Alex Sarr, the 20-year-old French center. The rookie, barely old enough to rent a car, turned in his sixth double-double of the season—27 points, 11 rebounds—and his fourth in the last five games. He blocked shots, finished alley-oops, and even drew a charge that sent a Hawks forward tumbling. "Sar scores over Dyson Daniel. He’s now had four double doubles in the last five games. That’s his sixth total for the season," the broadcast noted. And here’s the kicker: teams that win the rebounding battle this season? They win 72% of the time. Sarr didn’t just play—he controlled the paint.
Corey Kispert added 19 points before leaving with a thumb injury in the third quarter. The Wizards didn’t miss a beat. Their ball movement was crisp, their spacing perfect. When the ball swung side to side, the Hawks’ rotations lagged—and the Wizards made them pay. "When that ball swings and gets side to move side to side, the Wizards always get a good shot," one commentator said. "And tonight that shot has been a three-pointer."
The Hawks’ Collapse
For the Hawks, it was a nightmare. Kristaps Porzingis, the 29-year-old Latvian big man, managed 22 points but looked out of sync, his usual rhythm broken by Washington’s active defense. Onyeka Okongwu, the 23-year-old Nigerian-American center, chipped in 20 points, but even he couldn’t stem the tide. Atlanta had entered the game on a two-game win streak. Now, they suffered their worst loss since their season-opening 20-point drubbing by the Toronto Raptors on October 22, 2025. "They’re giving way too many easy shots," a Hawk’s assistant coach said postgame, shaking his head. "And they’re making them. Every. Single. Time."
What This Means for the Wizards
This win wasn’t just about breaking a streak. It was about belief. The Wizards had lost 14 straight—two games away from tying the franchise record. They’d been written off. Their roster was young, unproven, and underfunded. But now? Now they’ve shown they can play with anyone. McCollum’s performance wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. And Sarr’s emergence? That’s the future. The Wizards now sit at 2-15, but they’ve won two of their last three games. Momentum? It’s real.
They’re set to face the Indiana Pacers on Friday, November 28, 2025, in a crucial NBA Cup matchup. The Hawks, meanwhile, return home to State Farm Arena to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on the same night—both teams still at 1-2 in group play. But only one team now looks like it’s climbing.
Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score
The NBA Cup is still young, but it’s becoming a platform for rebuilding teams to find their identity. For Washington, this wasn’t just a win—it was a blueprint. High-volume three-point shooting. Elite ball movement. A young center who can protect the rim and score inside. And a veteran who refuses to let his team quit. McCollum, once a star in Portland, now looks like the missing piece in D.C. He’s not just scoring—he’s leading. And that’s what happens when a locker room stops believing in excuses and starts believing in each other.
As one fan yelled from the stands after McCollum sank his 10th three-pointer: "This is what we’ve been waiting for!" And for the first time in months, the answer wasn’t silence—it was a standing ovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did CJ McCollum’s performance compare to past Wizards scoring records?
McCollum’s 46 points and 10 three-pointers were the best of his career and the closest any Wizard has come to the franchise record of 11 threes in a game, set by Gilbert Arenas in 2006. His 13-for-16 shooting from the field was the most efficient 40+ point game by a Wizard since 2010. He’s the first player in NBA history to record 45+ points and 10+ threes while shooting under 20 field goal attempts.
Why is Alex Sarr’s emergence so significant for the Wizards’ future?
Sarr, at just 20, is becoming the first true franchise center the Wizards have had since Dwight Howard. His sixth double-double this season ties him for the most by a rookie in franchise history. With his defensive versatility and scoring touch, he gives Washington a rare two-way presence in the paint—a luxury they’ve lacked since the John Wall era. His development could redefine their rebuild timeline.
What impact did the Wizards’ first-quarter explosion have on the game’s outcome?
The 45-point first quarter set a new NBA season high and created a psychological wall the Hawks couldn’t climb. Teams that lead by 25+ after one quarter win 94% of the time, according to NBA Advanced Stats. Washington’s early barrage forced Atlanta into desperate, low-percentage shots the rest of the game, effectively ending any hope of a comeback before halftime.
How does this win affect the Wizards’ playoff chances this season?
Realistically, the Wizards aren’t making the playoffs this year. But this win proves they’re no longer just a lottery team. With McCollum playing at an All-Star level and Sarr developing rapidly, they’ve shown they can compete with playoff-caliber teams. That could influence draft positioning, trade value, and front-office decisions next offseason—especially if they keep winning games like this.
What’s next for the Wizards and Hawks in the NBA Cup?
The Wizards face the Indiana Pacers on Friday, November 28, 2025, in a must-win game to stay alive in Cup contention. The Hawks, meanwhile, host the Cleveland Cavaliers at State Farm Arena—also at 1-2 in group play. A loss for either team likely eliminates them from advancing. But only Washington now looks like a team with momentum, confidence, and a clear identity.
Why did the Hawks struggle so badly defensively?
Atlanta’s defense was disorganized from the start. They rotated late, left shooters wide open, and failed to close out on McCollum. The Wizards made 10 threes in the first half alone, and Atlanta had zero active help rotations. As one analyst put it, "They weren’t just losing—they were lost." Their defensive rating for the game was 128.6, the worst they’ve posted all season.
