Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma, Jordan Poole roasted over dunk in loss to Hawks: Look

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Washington Wizards 130-121 on November 1 to move to 3-2 on the season. But the final score doesn’t do the game justice. Were it not for a late surge in the fourth quarter, the Hawks likely walk away with a 20-plus-point victory. Either way, it was their third straight victory after the Hawks started the season 0-2.

For the Wizards, the loss drops them to 1-3 on the season. But, perhaps most damningly, their two best players – Kyle Kuzma and Jordan Poole – seemed oblivious to the reality of the game.

Trailing 79-58 in the third quarter, Deni Avdija came away with a steal on a floating pass from Jalen Johnson. After tossing a hit-ahead pass to Poole, the latter sent it to Kuzma, only he did it off the glass for a highlight-reel dunk.

And fans took to social media to bag on them.

“Every game these two do some absolutely hilarious s***,” posted @MikeDSykes on X on November 1.

“The Washington Runway Models…,” posted @MagicISTheGOAT.

“This man Poole is so unserious,” posted @mmikebala thats prob what got his a** benched the rest of the game. If I was Wes I’d make him play in garbage time as punishment loll”

Poole was indeed pulled on the next dead ball, a foul called on teammate and former Hawks big man Mike Muscala. He would not return to the contest despite the Wizards whittling the lead down towards the end. Poole finished with 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting (2-for-6 3P) with one assist, one steal, and one turnover.

“Pathetic. Scoreboard, dummies,” exclaimed @StewartSmall20 in a post.

“There is no better example of Jordan Poole and Kyle Kuzma,” posted by @ByCSauertieg. “Just two gigantic losers who care more about their stats and highlights.”

Kuzma had 25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists on the night and gave the Hawks fits early, scoring 18 points in the first half. He went 8-for-14 from the floor in the first 24 minutes of play only to go 3-for-7 from the floor in the second half.

Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. pulled him about four minutes after pulling Poole, rallying without either player.

Hawks’ offense put on show vs Wizards

Regardless of their opponent – the Wizards are in the early stages of a rebuild – the Hawks’ offense did the job in this one. Their 130 points are a season-high and continue the upward trend they have been on since the beginning of the season.

In order, they have scored 110 points, 120 points, 127 points, 127 points, and 130 points.

The Hawks scored at least 120 points 24 times total last season. Notably, five of those came after Quin Snyder took over as head coach.

Led by their star backcourt of Trae Young (23 points, 10 assists) and Dejounte Murray (24 points, eight rebounds), the Hawks had seven players in double figures in points with another – Jalen Johnson – finishing with eight points to go with their 11 rebounds. Even both Clint Capela (10 points, 11 rebounds) and Onyeka Okongwu (16 points, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles.

The Hawks will next travel to face the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4. These teams split the two-game series last season while the Pels come in off a big win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.