What Must Wizards Do To Stop Hawks Today?

What Is The Key To Stopping The Hawks Today?

The Washington Wizards will get an early start to today’s game as they hope to finish the year of 2023 with a win against the Atlanta Hawks this afternoon. This game poses as a very winnable game as the Atlanta Hawks are not only struggling at 12-19, but they are involved in some serious trade rumors too. Anytime that happens, that shows how impatient and frustrated the team and franchise is. There is a certain level of patience within the Wizards franchise and they seem to have a plan. The Hawks on the other hand, seem to be a team in the middle of the ocean. Today should be an exciting game for the Wizards as they should only have to focus on one particular player this afternoon.

Dejounte Murray is a potential target for the Lakers, per @ShamsCharania

(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/62tQKYjqbn

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 26, 2023

How to Watch Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks today:

Game Date: December 31, 2023

Game Time: 3:00 p.m. EST

TV: Monumental Sports Network, NBA League Pass

Stream: Youtube TV

From: Capital One Arena in Washington DC

Projected Starters

Washington Wizards:

Guards: Jordan Poole, Tyus Jones (Game Time Decision)

Forwards: Kyle Kuzma, Deni Avdija

Center: Daniel Gafford

Atlanta Hawks:

Guards: Trae Young (Game Time Decision), Dejounte Murray

Forwards: Garrison Mathews, Jalen Johnson

Center: Clint Capela

Injury Report

Washington Wizards:

Danilo Gallinari: (Back) OUT

Tyus Jones: (Foot) Day-To-Day

Atlanta Hawks:

De’Andre Hunter: (Knee) OUT

Mouhamed Gueye: (Back) OUT

Seth Lundy: (Ankle) OUT

Trae Young: (Knee) Day-To-Day

Omyeka Okongwu: (illness) Day-To-Day

Trae Young over his last 7 games:

30 PTS, 5 REB, 13 AST
30 PTS, 3 REB, 13 AST
30 PTS, 4 REB, 14 AST
31 PTS, 4 REB, 15 AST
35 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST
38 PTS, 5 REB, 11 AST
35 PTS, 4 REB, 17 AST pic.twitter.com/5PvTrC59NI

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 24, 2023

The Bottom Line

Today’s game plan for the Washington Wizards should be a very simple and straightforward strategy for them to get the win today -“Stop Trae Young”. Trae Young has been playing out of his mind this season. The decision to bring in Dejounte Murray was a decision that made a lot of sense at the time. In essence, it still does. Trae Young is one of the smallest players in the league running the point guard position. Murray is one of the biggest point guards in the NBA. Having not one but two players that have the ability to work both on and off the ball is scary. However, we have seen they both are at their best when they have the ball in their hands. 

We also have seen that Trae Young is the better and more dynamic player. The Wizards have to get physical with Trae Young. Force him to attack the basket and not be afraid to make contact with him either. Tyus Jones will have a hard time staying in front of him. This may be a good opportunity and time to play zone. It is very rare that we see a zone defense ran in the NBA. Playing a 2-3 Zone, 3-2 Zone, or either a Box and 1 Zone will certainly stir things up a bit for the Wizards. Containing Young is the key to victory for the Wizards.