Hawks face Wizards as streaks clash in an NBA Cup matchup on November 25, 2025 at Capital One Arena. The Atlanta Hawks bring momentum with a winning streak while the Washington Wizards spiral toward franchise infamy.
🔥 Quick Facts
Hawks enter the game with an 11-7 record and a 2-game winning streak, seeking their third consecutive victory
Wizards stand at 1-15, the only NBA team without a second win, on a devastating 14-game losing streak
Washington is just two defeats away from matching the franchise record of 16 consecutive losses
Atlanta comes in as 10.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 236.5 points
Hawks Surging Into Washington with Confidence
The Atlanta Hawks have found their rhythm heading into this NBA Cup matchup. With a 11-7 record, they sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and are riding a two-game winning streak after overcoming recent adversity.
Trae Young continues anchoring the Hawks offense, averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 assists per game this season. The Hawks’ balanced attack has proven effective in recent games, and they’re aiming to keep momentum rolling against a troubled Wizards squad.
Atlanta enters with a 1-1 record in NBA Cup Group Play, positioning themselves well for advancement. This game represents an opportunity to build further confidence while competing in the inaugural in-season tournament format.
Wizards Facing Historic Losing Streak Nightmare
The Washington Wizards are in crisis mode. Standing at 1-15, they’re the only NBA team without a second win and have lost 14 consecutive games, a stretch that’s become increasingly difficult to watch.
What makes this especially dire is Washington’s proximity to franchise history. The Wizards’ longest losing streak stands at 16 consecutive losses, an ignominious record that has occurred three times: in 2010, from November-December 2024, and again in January 2025. With just two more defeats, this team could tie that miserable mark.
The Wizards remain 0-2 in NBA Cup Group Play, meaning losses have compounded on multiple fronts. Their immediate priority is simply stopping the bleeding before tying a franchise record nobody wants to claim.
Team Stat
Hawks
Wizards
Overall Record
11-7
1-15
Current Streak
W2
L14
NBA Cup Record
1-1
0-2
Conference Standing
7th East
Last East
NBA Cup Group Play Stakes Emerge
This matchup carries significance beyond the regular season. The NBA Cup, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament, features all 30 NBA teams divided into six groups: three in the Eastern Conference and three in the Western Conference.
Each team plays four group stage games, with results counting toward both tournament and regular season standings. The top team from each group advances to a single-elimination knockout bracket, making every group game critical for tournament positioning.
For the Hawks, a victory strengthens their path to the knockout rounds. For Washington, it represents a chance to avoid history and kickstart a turnaround that has eluded them all season.
Hawks Listed as Heavy Favorites Against Struggling Wizards
Oddsmakers have made their position clear: the Hawks are heavily favored to win. Atlanta sits at -10.5 on the spread, indicating confidence in the Hawks’ ability to dominate.
The game’s total is projected at 236.5 points, suggesting experts expect a competitive scoring environment despite the disparity in team quality. Atlanta’s recent form and overall talent level appear to be separating factors in the betting market.
Historically, the Hawks and Wizards have played relatively close contests, but this season’s dramatic divergence in their trajectories makes this matchup feel less competitive on paper.
Can the Wizards Stop the Bleeding Before Writing History?
Washington faces a crossroads. Every game now carries the weight of potential franchise infamy, as the specter of tying the 16-game losing streak record looms ever closer.
The Wizards haven’t shown consistent ability to compete this season, sitting with just one win total through 16 games. Against a Hawks team that’s won two straight and features Trae Young playing at an efficient level, the odds heavily favor Atlanta.
Yet in sports, upsets happen. Washington’s season has been so disastrous that even a loss wouldn’t be shocking, but a victory would provide the emotional lift this struggling franchise desperately needs as the season continues unraveling.
Sources
ESPN – Game previews and player statistics
NBA.com – Official NBA Cup format and standings
CBS Sports – Odds, predictions, and streak analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.