NBA: Jonathan Kuminga on fire in debut as Hawks crush Washington

There was real feeling in the air at State Farm Arena. Trae Young’s return to Atlanta — a tribute, No.11 jerseys in the stands, the end of an era.

And right in the middle of it all, Jonathan Kuminga decided to write the first chapter of his own story.

27 points in his Hawks debut. A 119-98 win over the Wizards. Immediate impact.

Kuminga: thunderous entrance and a grin you could see from the nosebleeds

Jonathan Kuminga didn’t hang about.

Barely off the bench and he throws down a ferocious transition dunk. The place erupts. He jogs back on defense, smiling like he’s just been told he’s in the starting five tomorrow. Tone set.

Traded at the deadline after losing minutes in Golden State, the Congolese forward looked like he had something to prove. He did it in 24½ minutes.

27 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals. Three triples. Relentless activity at both ends.

Jonathan Kuminga 27 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 9/12 FG, 3/4 3FG, 89.5% TS vs Wizards https://t.co/xw2mT6bjWz pic.twitter.com/mf8Lwh2YMo

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 25, 2026

For a first night? You couldn’t have scripted it better.

A special night for Trae Young

The night belonged to Trae Young too.

Traded in early January after eight seasons in Atlanta, four All-Star nods and a 2021 conference final appearance, he came back to his old building for the first time.

The Hawks ran a tribute video in the second quarter. Standing ovation. Respect still there.

Young, still rehabbing knee and quad injuries, didn’t play. He watched from the bench as a struggling Washington side were picked apart.

One-sided from start to finish

Atlanta grabbed control early. Up 15 at the end of the first. Then they stomped the third quarter. Lead ballooned to 100-64. Game done.

The Wizards, already looking like they’ve got one eye on the next draft, never really showed up. Will Riley hit 18, but it was too little, too late.

The Hawks looked freed up. Defense on, push the ball, bench contributing.

A fresh start for Atlanta?

Kuminga brings explosion, instant scoring and infectious energy. In a tight East, that kind of player can turn tight games into comfortable wins.

They meet again on Thursday, still in Atlanta. But this opener made the message clear.

Jonathan Kuminga didn’t just pass his audition. He stole the show.

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