Two nights after Atlanta used a fast, balanced attack to defeat Washington 120-105, the same teams return to the Hawks’ floor Friday night. This rematch is more than a quick sequel. It brings Trae Young back against the team he once led, while Jalen Johnson tries to show that Atlanta’s new era is ready to keep rolling.

As of Wednesday, the Hawks stood at 5-4 and had won two straight games. Washington was 4-4, still searching for the steady play that can turn a young, talented group into a winner. Atlanta scores nearly 116 points per game because the ball keeps moving. Its 31 assists per night show a team that looks for teammates instead of forcing tough shots.

Johnson is at the center of that movement. The 6-foot-8 forward can grab a rebound, race up the court, and make the next pass like a guard. He is averaging 18.3 points, 9 rebounds, and almost 8 assists, making him a problem for defenders everywhere. His ankle status is worth watching, though, after he was listed as questionable. If he plays, Washington must decide whether to use a smaller defender for speed or a bigger one for strength.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker gives Johnson a sharp scoring partner. He is averaging 21.7 points and hitting more than 40 percent of his three-point shots, so defenders cannot leave him open outside. Meanwhile, Dyson Daniels leads Atlanta’s pressure defense. His 2.7 steals per game mean he often turns a loose dribble or lazy pass into a sudden sprint the other way.

That pressure will meet Young, Washington’s clever conductor. Young averages 9.5 assists, and his passes can slip through tiny spaces to find Anthony Davis near the rim. Davis has been Washington’s strongest scorer at 23.4 points per game. He brings power around the basket, soft touch on short shots, and the ability to block or alter attempts on defense.

The Wizards shoot a stronger overall percentage than Atlanta, but their three-point shooting has lagged behind. That makes their inside game especially important. Davis, and possibly 7-footer Alex Sarr if his questionable knee allows him to play, could give Washington extra size near the glass. The Wizards also make free throws at an 81.4 percent rate, so Atlanta must defend without sending them to the line too often.

Washington’s big challenge is handling Atlanta’s waves of wing defenders and keeping turnovers from becoming easy points. The Hawks have collected 9.7 steals per game, one of the clearest signs of their new tough-minded identity. Yet Atlanta must also protect the paint, where Davis can change the game with one powerful finish or key stop.

Washington has the star power to make this rematch tight, especially if Young controls the pace and Davis owns the lane. Still, Atlanta’s recent win, home floor, deeper ball movement, and disruptive defense give it the edge. Prediction: The Hawks win.

Hawks and Wizards Meet Again as Jalen Johnson Faces Trae Young’s New Team