McCollum Drops 46 Points Against the Hawks to End the Wizards 14-Game Losing Streak

 

Washington, D.C - November 25: CJ McCollum #3 of the Washington Wizards shoots over Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter at Capital One Arena on November 25, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Tim Nwachukwu/Nwachukwu Works)

By Wole Akinso (@Wole_USS)

Washington, DC — In the Emirates NBA Cup, CJ McCollum erupted for 46 points to lead the Washington Wizards (2–15) to a 132–113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks (11–8), snapping the team’s 14-game losing streak.

McCollum delivered a masterful performance, knocking down set shots, step-backs, and off-the-dribble pull-up three-pointers. After the game, he reflected on his shooting rhythm.

“I should have had 50 tonight,” McCollum said. “That’s what I’ve done my whole life. I prepare. I maximize my talent. I take advantage of each day. These types of nights, you know, they happen, but for me it starts with how I start my days and how I finish my days.”

McCollum set the tone right away, hitting three three-pointers early in the first quarter to give Washington an 11–2 lead. His hot start fueled the Wizards’ 45–16 advantage at the end of the opening period.

Atlanta made a push in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 59–46. Wizards head coach Brian Keefe called a timeout to halt the Hawks’ run, drawing up a play to free McCollum for an open jumper. McCollum responded immediately.

“I got a great screen, caught it. Guy closed out. I hit a few already, so [I was] shot-ready. We work on shot prep—just being ready, loading up, and being deliberate with the release. Machines just drop the pop and drop the pop, right? You just keep doing it over and over again. You put the money in the machine and it does it over and over again. It doesn’t think. You don’t change anything until there’s a malfunction in the machine. And historically, I haven’t had any malfunctions in my game.”

McCollum finished 10 of 13 from beyond the arc and 17 of 25 overall—an exceptionally efficient night.
He wasn’t the only Wizard who delivered. Second-year forward Alex Sarr dominated on both ends, scoring in the post, off pick-and-roll actions, and on strong drives to the basket—including finishes over former Wizard Kristaps Porziņģis. Sarr closed with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks.

Wizards forward Khris Middleton facilitated much of Sarr’s production. Middleton recorded 12 assists, several of which came on pick-and-roll connections with Sarr. Coach Keefe praised the duo’s chemistry.

“Him and Alex have a great connection. You could see that instantaneously when he got here. That’s the thing I learned about Khris—Khris has been doing this a long time. I probably didn’t realize how good a passer he was. The way he sees the game… he’s been doing this at a high level for many, many years, but he sees the game in an easy way. Him and Alex have a great two-man combination on that pick-and-roll.”

On a down note, Wizards guard Corey Kispert left the game at the 6:19 mark of the third quarter with an apparent thumb injury and did not return.

The Wizards are now 1–2 in the NBA Cup. On Friday, November 28, Washington will travel to Indiana to face the Indiana Pacers (2–15) in their next tournament matchup.