The Washington Wizards didn’t just beat the Atlanta Hawks — they obliterated every expectation. On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the league’s worst team, 1-15 and reeling from 14 straight losses, crushed the 11-7 Hawks 132-113 in a game that defied logic, odds, and common sense. The final score? A stunning 132-113. The first quarter? 45-23. And the man who made it all happen? CJ McCollum, who dropped 46 points like it was a practice drill.
A First Quarter That Shook the League
It didn’t start with a bang. It started with a detonation. The Wizards came out firing — and kept firing. By the time the first quarter ended, they’d scored 45 points, the most any team had put up in a single quarter all season. The Hawks? 23. That’s not a cold start. That’s a full-blown implosion. Atlanta, a 10.5-point favorite according to DraftKings Sportsbook, Fox Sports, and SportsLine, looked shell-shocked. Fans in the stands were silent. Analysts on TV were scrambling. And somewhere in Atlanta, a coach was probably replaying the opening possession on loop.
McCollum, the 33-year-old veteran who’d been quietly building his case for a comeback season, was unstoppable. He hit step-back threes, drove through double teams, and finished at the rim like a man who hadn’t slept in 72 hours. He didn’t just score — he dictated pace, rhythm, and emotion. By halftime, he already had 29. By the fourth, he was on pace for 50. He finished with 46 on 17-of-27 shooting, adding six assists and five rebounds. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder if the NBA should start a new award: “Most Unlikely Hero.”
The Numbers That Didn’t Add Up
Pre-game models were brutally confident in Atlanta. BetMGM’s algorithm gave the Hawks a 64.7% chance to win. SportsLine simulated the game 10,000 times and projected 238 combined points — just over the 236.5 over/under. The moneyline? Atlanta at -508. Washington at +384. In other words, bettors were being asked to risk $508 to win $100 on Atlanta. The Wizards? You’d win $384 for every $100 you risked.
And yet, here’s the twist: the Wizards were terrible — but not in the way people thought. Yes, they allowed 129.1 points per game, the worst in the NBA. But they also averaged 19.2 fast-break points on the road. They were a mess defensively, sure — but they could score in bursts. And on this night, they didn’t just score. They exploded. Meanwhile, Atlanta, despite being 7-2 in their last nine games since Trae Young (knee) went down, looked… tired. They had won 113-110 over the Hornets the night before. They were playing their third game in four nights. They were missing Luke Kennard (hip). And their defense, which had been elite at 114.4 points allowed per game, suddenly looked slow, out of sync, and confused.
Who’s Really in Control?
The Hawks entered the game third in NBA Cup Group A with a 1-1 record. The Wizards? Last. 0-2. And before this game, they’d lost 14 in a row — including a 121-120 heartbreaker to the Chicago Bulls just two nights prior. But this wasn’t about standings. It was about momentum. And momentum, as it turns out, is a fickle thing.
Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson had been thriving without Young — averaging 10.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists over the last five games. He was even a +375 prop bet to record a triple-double. But he finished with just 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. No triple-double. No game-changing presence. And no answers for McCollum.
Meanwhile, Washington’s injury report was a mess — Tre Johnson (hip) out indefinitely, Marvin Bagley and Kyshawn George questionable. Yet, they played with desperation. They played like they had nothing to lose. And in basketball, that’s often the most dangerous kind of team.
What This Means for the NBA Cup
This win didn’t just break a losing streak — it changed the dynamics of NBA Cup Group A. The Wizards, now 1-2, are still on the brink. But they’re alive. The Hawks? They’re still in the hunt, but now they’ve lost their aura of invincibility. With only three games left in group play, every point differential matters. This loss could haunt them in tiebreakers. And more importantly, it exposed a dangerous truth: Atlanta, without Young, isn’t as bulletproof as they seemed.
Before this game, Hawks games had gone over the total in 9 of 16 matchups. The Wizards? 9 of 16 as well. But tonight, the total was 245 — far above projections. And it wasn’t because Atlanta played better. It was because Washington played like a team possessed.
What’s Next?
The Wizards host the Orlando Magic on Friday. The Hawks travel to Charlotte on Saturday. Both teams need wins to stay relevant in the Cup. But the narrative has shifted. The Hawks are no longer the team to beat — they’re the team that just got exposed. And the Wizards? They’re no longer just a punchline. They’re a team that, for one night, looked like champions.
McCollum’s 46 points? That’s the kind of performance that gets remembered. Not just in Washington. In the league. In the history books. Because sometimes, the underdog doesn’t just win. They rewrite the script.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did CJ McCollum manage to score 46 points against a top-10 defense?
McCollum exploited Atlanta’s defensive fatigue after back-to-back games, using quick ball movement and screens to create open looks. The Hawks, missing key rotation players like Luke Kennard, struggled to switch effectively. McCollum shot 63% from the field and hit 7 three-pointers, many coming off catch-and-shoot plays after Atlanta’s big men overcommitted to the paint.
Why were the Hawks such heavy favorites despite their injury issues?
Atlanta had won seven of their last nine games without Trae Young and were averaging nearly five more points per game without him. Their defense ranked 10th in the NBA, and their pace of play had improved. Oddsmakers assumed their experience and recent form would overcome Washington’s league-worst record — a logic that collapsed under the weight of a 45-point first quarter.
What does this mean for the Wizards’ playoff chances?
The Wizards are still mathematically eliminated from the NBA playoffs, but this win could be pivotal for the NBA Cup. A top-two finish in Group A would earn them a home game in the knockout round. With improved confidence and McCollum playing at an All-Star level, they could still sneak into the top four — a scenario that would make them dangerous in a single-elimination format.
Was this game a fluke, or a sign of things to come?
It’s too early to call it a turning point, but the energy, execution, and cohesion the Wizards showed suggest they’re capable of more than just losing. Their bench outscored Atlanta’s 38-22, and they forced 19 turnovers — their highest total in weeks. If they can replicate this intensity, especially on the road, they could become a nightmare for playoff teams looking to rest starters.
How did Trae Young’s absence impact this game?
Young’s absence created a void in playmaking and clutch shooting, but Atlanta had adapted well — until now. Without him, Jalen Johnson had to carry more offensive responsibility, and the Hawks’ half-court offense became predictable. Washington’s defenders, knowing Atlanta lacked a true closer, played tighter on drives and forced more contested jumpers. The Hawks shot just 41% from the field — their worst in a month.
What’s the betting takeaway from this game?
This result reinforces that NBA Cup games are volatile, especially when teams are fatigued or playing on short rest. The Hawks’ 6-4 ATS record in their last 10 games was misleading — they were winning close games, not dominating. The Wizards, despite their record, have shown they can score in bursts. Future bets should factor in rest, back-to-backs, and defensive matchups — not just win-loss records.
