Corey Kispert delivered a standout performance against his former team, the Washington Wizards, lighting up the scoreboard with a career-high 33 points. This impressive display powered the Atlanta Hawks to a commanding 126-96 victory at State Farm Arena.
Kispert, coming off the bench, was on fire, shooting 11 of 19 from the field and an impressive 6 of 11 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in six rebounds, an assist, and a block in just 28 minutes of play. Drafted 15th overall by the Wizards in 2021, Kispert spent over four seasons with them before being traded to the Hawks on January 9th in a deal that sent All-Star guard Trae Young to Washington.
The former Gonzaga standout was particularly lethal in the first half, racking up 22 points and going a perfect 5 of 5 from three-point range during a sizzling 10-minute stretch. This performance eclipsed his previous career-high of 29 points, which he set in April 2023 against New York.
Kispert, who was a consensus All-American at Gonzaga, started 103 games for the Wizards in his first three seasons. However, his role diminished, and he started only two games in 80 appearances over the past season and a half. Now with the Hawks, he has started six of 21 games and is averaging 10.8 points per game, an uptick from the 9.2 ppg he logged with Washington earlier this season.
Adding to the Hawks' effort, big man Mouhamed Gueye, a former Washington State star, contributed with two points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in 18 minutes off the bench. In his third year, Gueye is averaging 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds per game this season.
Kispert's breakout game against his former team is a testament to his growth and potential impact with the Hawks, showcasing the kind of performance that could make Atlanta a formidable force as the season progresses.