ATLANTA, Ga. — The Washington Wizards rallied late but could not finish the job Friday night, losing 139-132 to the Hawks at State Farm Arena in an NBA Cup group game.
It was the second loss to Atlanta in three days for Washington, which also fell to the Hawks at home Wednesday. The Wizards are now 4-5 overall and 1-1 in Cup play.
Washington held a 32-28 edge after one quarter, then gave up 38 points in the second and trailed 66-59 at the break. Atlanta pushed its margin to 14 in the third quarter and carried a 105-94 lead into the final period.
Kyshawn George kept the visitors close, finishing with 33 points, 18 of them in the fourth quarter, and five 3-pointers. Tre Johnson added 23 off the bench, and Trae Young, back in Atlanta for the first time since his trade, had 23 points and 10 assists but turned it over nine times. The Wizards closed to within three in the final minutes.
Without Anthony Davis, out with a sprained ankle, Washington had trouble at the rim. The Hawks scored 62 points in the paint, shot 53.1 percent and won the rebounding battle 50-45, while guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker paced all Atlanta scorers at 28.
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