Prediction: Atlanta Hawks VS Washington Wizards 2025-11-25
Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards: A Tale of Two Teams (and Why the Hawks Are the Obvious Choice)
The Atlanta Hawks, currently riding a 7-2 surge in their last nine games, are about to face the Washington Wizardsâa team so winless, theyâve turned their 14-game losing streak into a holiday tradition. With Trae Young sidelined since October (yes, Octoberâheâs been on a vacation thatâs starting to feel permanent), the Hawks have leaned on Jalen Johnson, whoâs averaging a near-triple-double while somehow avoiding turnovers like theyâre hot coals at a summer barbecue. Meanwhile, the Wizards, whoâve lost 14 straight and are two games away from tying their own franchise record for futility, are hoping Alex Sarrâs 18.1 PPG can pierce Atlantaâs impenetrable⌠wait, no, actually, their defense is as porous as a sieve filled with Swiss cheese. Letâs break this down.
Parsing the Odds: Why the Hawks Are the Statistical Certainty
The Hawks are favored by -10.5 points, with implied win probabilities hovering around 52-55% (depending on the bookmakerâs decimal odds). Thatâs not just confidenceâitâs math. Atlanta leads the NBA in assists (30.4 per game) and has Jalen Johnson, whoâs averaging 23.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists over his last five games while committing zero turnovers in his most recent outing. Meanwhile, Washington allows a league-worst 129.1 PPG and commits 17 turnovers per gameâenough to fill a U-Haul and still have room for their 14-game losing streak.
The total is set at 236.5, with SportsLineâs model projecting 238 combined points. The Over has cashed in five of Atlantaâs last seven games and 10 of Washingtonâs 16 this season. If youâre betting on the Over, youâre basically investing in a franchise thatâs specializing in defensive incompetence.
Injury Report: Traeâs Absence Is a Non-Event
Trae Youngâs MCL injury has kept him sidelined since October 29, but the Hawks havenât missed a beat. Without their star point guard, Atlantaâs ânew normalâ is a balanced attack led by Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker (19.3 PPG), and a healthy Kristaps Porzingis (18.4 PPG). Coach Quin Snyder deserves a raise for turning a potential crisis into a âJalen Johnson Showâ reboot.
The Wizards? Theyâre missing Tre Johnson (hip), with Marvin Bagley III and Kyshawn George questionable. CJ McCollum, their third-leading scorer, is averaging 16.5 PPG but faces a Hawks defense thatâs been so stingy lately, theyâve probably considered charging admission for how few points they let in.
The Wizardsâ Silver Lining? Theyâre⌠Developing Identity?
Coach Brian Keefe insists the Wizards are âshowing signs of growthâ and âdeveloping a playing identity.â Letâs unpack that. Their âidentityâ involves trailing by eight points in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls before losing 121-120. Their âgrowthâ includes Alex Sarr dropping 18 points a night while Washingtonâs three-point shooting percentage (37.5%) would make a coffee addict blush.
And yet, thereâs hope! Corey Kispert recently joined the 600-three-pointer club, a milestone thatâs less about this game and more about proving the Wizards can technically hit a shot from deep⌠eventually.
Humorous Highlights: A Comedy of Errors
- Jalen Johnson: If Michael Jordan and a Swiss watchmaker had a point-forward, heâd be Jalen Johnson. Precision? Check. Near-triple-doubles? Check. Zero turnovers? Thatâs just Johnson saying, âIâm not here to play 2K with your defense.â
- Washingtonâs Defense: The Wizardsâ defense is like a colander thatâs been told a sad storyâit lets everything through. Atlantaâs offense, meanwhile, is a Michelin-starred chef: creative, consistent, and leaving a mess for the opposition to clean up.
- Trae Youngâs Absence: The Hawks are thriving without Trae, proving that sometimes, a team needs a vacation from its star player. Trae, if youâre watching: Your job is waiting. Weâve kept your seat warm⌠and your stats sheet cold.
Prediction: Hawks Cover, Wizards Contemplate Existence
The Hawks are a -10.5 favorite for a reason: theyâre a well-oiled machine with no Trae, while the Wizards are a well-oiled puddle of despair. With Johnson dominating, Porzingis anchoring the frontcourt, and Washingtonâs defense resembling a sieve at a music festival, Atlanta should win comfortably.
Final Score Prediction: Atlanta Hawks 122, Washington Wizards 108.
And if the Wizards somehow pull off the miracle? Congratulate themâtheyâve finally mastered the art of the âstreak,â just not the kind they wanted. As for the Hawks? Theyâll be celebrating with a team dinner⌠at a restaurant that doesnât serve salad.
Created: Nov. 25, 2025, 9:16 p.m. GMT