A third quarter defensive collapse was too much for the Wizards to overcome in the final period, and they lost to the Atlanta Hawks, 125-111.
Washington entered the third period trailing by five after a competitive see-saw first half against Atlanta. The Wizards led by as much as seven in the first half — the Hawks by as much as five. Things got out of hand fast in the late second and third periods. With 1:18 to play in the second, the game was tied. When the halftime buzzer sounded, the Wizards were down five. Just 13 minutes and 3 seconds later, Atlanta was up 23.