Not even a minute into the Washington Wizards’ recent 111-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Gary Payton II was already making an impact. Moments after converting a fastbreak opportunity into a smooth left-handed layup, Payton tipped a pass straight out of point guard Trae Young’s hands and slammed it home on the other end.
A couple of plays later, it was a behind the back baseline pass by Payton that led to an easy two points for the Wizards. Payton’s impressive night peaked with ferocious, foul-drawing jam midway through the first quarter that had the Wizards bench on their feet.