Hawks Top Washington 139-132 in NBA Cup Opener
Atlanta opened its first NBA Cup game with a three-game winning streak, edging Washington behind a strong night from Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Basketball
The Atlanta Hawks defeated Washington 139-132 on Friday in their first NBA Cup game, extending their winning streak to three games. Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 28 points, while Lu Dort added a season-high 25 points and five 3-pointers.
Why it matters
The win gives Atlanta momentum early in the NBA Cup and in a season where Jalen Johnson has been sidelined with a sprained ankle. Recent lineup changes, including Kingston Flemings starting the last two games, are shaping the team's rotation.
Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 28 points, and Dort's 25 points were a season high on five made 3-pointers. Flemings added 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting, six assists and two turnovers in the 139-132 win.
The players
Atlanta Hawks
An NBA franchise based in Atlanta that competes in the Eastern Conference.
Quin Snyder
The Hawks' head coach who made the decision to move CJ McCollum to a sixth-man role.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
A Hawks guard who led all scorers with 28 points in the win over Washington.
Lu Dort
A Hawks defender who scored a season-high 25 points and made five 3-pointers against Washington.
Kingston Flemings
A Hawks guard who has started the last two games and scored 11 points on Friday.
The details
Atlanta trailed for stretches but pulled out a 139-132 victory over Washington on Friday, the first game of the NBA Cup for the Hawks. Quin Snyder moved CJ McCollum to a sixth-man role, and Kingston Flemings has started the last two games in his place.
Timeline
Wednesday: Flemings made his first start and scored 14 points as Brooklyn beat Charlotte 114-104.
Friday: Atlanta beat Washington 139-132 in its first NBA Cup game.
Saturday: Atlanta hosts Brooklyn, the first of three meetings between the teams this year.
Season Trajectory
The NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament, gives teams early stakes in the standings during the regular season. Atlanta's opening win puts it on pace with its three-game streak as the season develops.
Fantasy managers tracking Alexander-Walker and Dort should note their scoring totals from Friday, with Dort's five 3-pointers marking a season high. Rotation changes with Flemings starting and McCollum coming off the bench could shift minutes for Hawks guards in coming games.
The takeaway
Lineup decisions and early tournament results can quickly reshape a team's rotation and standings, so tracking minutes and recent starts gives a clearer picture than a single box score.
What happens next
Atlanta hosts Brooklyn on Saturday, the first of three meetings between the two teams this year.
Further reading
For more on Atlanta's team this season, see Atlanta Basketball.
