On Saturday, the Washington Wizards completed their five-game road trip in Atlanta. Although they were without John Wall, everyone stepped up as Washington blew away the Hawks, 129-104.
On Saturday, the Washington Wizards completed their five-game road trip in Atlanta. Although they were without John Wall, everyone stepped up to the plate as Washington blew away the Hawks, 129-104.
Wall didn’t suit up due to left knee soreness. Candace Buckner, Washington Post, reported that the All-Star guard would return to the Cleveland Clinic next week, where he had his double-knee surgery, for a follow-up visit.
The Wizards would have to play next man up in Atlanta. Tomas Satoransky answered the call, opening up the game with a rainbow three.
The last time these two teams met back in December, they lost to the Hawks after just beating the Celtics on Christmas Day. But it wasn’t happening again on Wall’s watch (from the bench).
For all those asking what’s wrong with the Wizards, everything went right tonight.
Sato brings it and swings it
Sato did an excellent job finding his man on the inside, Marcin Gortat for a hook shot, and the outside, swinging it Markieff Morris for a long jumper. He orchestrated the offense beautifully.
True to his reputation of being a good ball protector, Sato would only have one turnover, finishing the game with 11 points and 7 assists.
Tim Frazier also had a great game with an incredible 14 assists, and only two turnovers.
Courtesy of @EliasSports Tim Frazier is the first bench player in NBA history to record 14 assists & 3 blocks in a game (blocks were first tracked in 1973-74) #Wizards
— D Double (@McNubian) January 28, 2018
In fact, the Wizards would have season-high 40 assists. Just absolutely beautiful ball movement and completely unselfish play. They looked like the team that fans expected them to be.
The return of Keef
Of course Morris would say he never left. However, on this night he would match his season-high with 23 points.
Although it was the Hawks, this Keef looked like the power forward that we have been waiting to return from last season. He was knocking down his outside shots without hesitation and demonstration (he only had two fouls).
If Keef can keep his game at this level than Washington will be in a better position come playoff time.
Weather report in Atlanta
The Wizards rained threes on the Hawks. “Catch and release” Keef knocked down four shots from three-point range.
Satoransky, who started the three-point party, was perfect from deep, 3-for-3.
While All-Star guard Bradley Beal‘s hot shooting continued, as he hit two from downtown, finishing the game with 18 points.
Otto Porter also appears to have returned, he would have two 3-pointers of his own, and 18 points.
Everyone knows Kelly Oubre likes to mix it up, whether it’s fashion or on the court, he would have two-triples to go along with this monster dunk. He had 15 points.
https://twitter.com/NBCSWizards/status/957425664365350919
Philips Arena never did anything to Mike Scott, yet he lit up with 19 points and three 3-pointers.
Washington’s 18-threes tied a “season and franchise record” for 3-pointers. In addition, six Wizards players finished with double-digits.
Our 18 3-pointers tonight tied a season and franchise record for triples in a game. Watch all of them fall again. #WizHawks #DCFamily https://t.co/Brh7Sif5ua
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 28, 2018
The Wizards offense wasn’t flowing it was overflowing.
On Tuesday, the Wizards return home to avenge themselves against the Thunder.