ATLANTA, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Michael Jordan scored 31 points Thursday night as the Washington Wizards earned their first victory of the season with a 98-88 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks.
When Jordan played his first regular-season game in more than three years Tuesday night, he missed a pair of late jumpers as Washington fell at New York, 93-91. In his first game at Philips Arena, Jordan started off strong with 11 points in the first quarter and had 19 at halftime, his total against the Knicks.
Jordan did not muster much in the fourth quarter, but came up with a key assist late in the game. With Washington holding a 90-86 lead and 51 seconds left, Jordan drew a double-team on the wing and kicked it to a wide-open Chris Whitney, who hit a three-pointer to seal the win.
Richard Hamilton finished with 22 points and Whitney chipped in 16 for Washington, which shot 44 percent from the field. Popeye Jones added nine points and 13 rebounds.
Jason Terry led Atlanta with 23 points while Shareef Abdur-Rahim collected 17 points and 12 rebounds. But he made just six of 18 shots.
