Hunter, Young help Hawks hold off Wizards 117-114

Posted March 04, 2022 6:00 am

By NOAH TRISTER

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) argues a call during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - De'Andre Hunter scored 26 points and Trae Young added 25 to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 117-114 on Friday night.

The Wizards never led, but they pulled to within one with 5.3 seconds left when Raul Neto made a 3-pointer. Young then made two free throws with 3.7 seconds left. The first three quarters of the game each ended with a buzzer-beater, but Kyle Kuzma's attempt to tie it from midcourt hit the back of the rim, allowing Atlanta to hold on.

Atlanta moved a half-game ahead of the Charlotte Hornets for ninth place in the Eastern Conference and 2 1/2 ahead of 11th-place Washington.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 28 points for the Wizards. They trailed by 14 in the second quarter but cut the deficit to one in the third when Kuzma's layup made it 80-79.

Atlanta closed the quarter with a 13-5 run that included two 3-pointers and an 18-footer by Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Washington pulled back within two with 25.4 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Caldwell-Pope. Young then made two free throws to make it 115-111 with 12.3 seconds left.

Bogdanovic finished with 17 points, and Clint Capela had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Atlanta went on an 11-2 run to take a 68-54 lead late in the second quarter before the Wizards finished the half with five straight points.

AT THE BUZZER

Bogdanovic made a 15-footer at the end of the first quarter and an 18-footer to close the third. Deni Avdija made a 3 to finish the second for the Wizards.

TIP-INS Hawks: F John Collins (foot) returned after missing six consecutive games and scored nine points. ... Atlanta shot 28 of 34 on free throws while Washington was just 8 of 9. That disparity helped the Hawks win despite 54% shooting from the field by the Wizards.

Wizards: Washington is without star G Bradley Beal (wrist) and F/C Kristaps Porzingis (knee).

UP NEXT

Hawks: At Detroit on Monday night.

Wizards: Host Indiana on Sunday night.

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Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari, left, defends against Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The Associated Press

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, right, and Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic reach for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 4, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) The Associated Press

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