The Hawks escaped Washington with a 106-101 win in Game 4 on a late three-pointer by Jeff Teague. The Wizards came into Atlanta for Game 5 with John Wall back in the starting lineup after missing three games with a broken hand. Wall was effective with 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Atlanta overcame a Wizards rally to win the game with 1.9 seconds left to take Game 5.

Early turnovers in the first quarter by the Hawks made it a 4-0 Wizards lead. Jeff Teague soon knocked down a three ball for Atlanta that made it a 4-3 game with 9:40 left. DeMarre Carroll helped Atlanta get their first lead at the 8:31 mark with a three-pointer to make the score 8-6. This helped set the stage for a 7-0 Atlanta run. The Hawks' first quarter intensity was also led by two blocked shots by Al Horford on Nene. The Wizards managed to cut the deficit to one point on a pair of Bradley Beal free throws, but Paul Millsap countered right back for the Hawks with an and-one play to make it a 21-17 lead. Atlanta led 23-19 after one quarter

The Wizards dominated in the second quarter and John Wall's health was not a concern as he was able to quickly get up the floor and find the open man. The Hawks dominated early in the quarter with a hot run by Mike Muscala that made it a 31-23 score. Bradley Beal made it a one point game at 35-34 on a layup. Beal had 12 points and four rebounds in the first half. Wall added 11 points and four assists. A jumper by John Wall helped create a 10-2 Wizards run with 2:20 left, giving them a 38-37 lead. Wall soon knocked down a bucket on a three-point play to extend the lead to 41-37. Paul Pierce added on to the momentum with Washington's lone three-pointer in the half to make it a 47-39 Wizards lead. Washington went into halftime with a 47-41 lead.

The Wizards quickly pushed to a double-digit lead early in the third quarter on a jumper by Nene. A Jeff Teague three then cut the deficit to 51-44. Two buckets by Al Horford would further cut the deficit to 51-48. Horford had 23 points and 11 rebounds for the game. Dennis Schroder sinked a layup late in the period to make it a one point game at 58-57. Pero Antic helped the Hawks retake the lead with a pair of free throws to make it a 59-58 game. The Hawks created a 10-0 run and lead the Wizards 63-62 after three quarters.

The Hawks were ice cold to start the fourth quarter as they could not get their first point until the seven and a half minute mark. The Wizards retook the lead early in the period on a jumper by Bradley Beal. Beal had another exceptional game with 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. The lead would grow to 73-64. A Kyle Korver three-pointer with 4:55 left in the game sparked the Hawks and their crowd, cutting Washington's lead to 73-69. Al Horford made it a one point game as he knocked down a crucial three-pointer from the corner to make the score 73-72. Horford would give Atlanta a 74-73 lead on his patent 20-foot jumper. Dennis Schroder would cap off a Hawks 14-0 on a floater in the lane giving the Hawks a 78-73 lead with 2:16 left in regulation. 

Paul Pierce came through in the clutch once again for Washington as a three-pointer by him cut the deficit to 78-76. Marcin Gortat soon tied the game with a hook shot with 46 seconds left. Kyle Korver would force a turnover by stripping the ball from Pierce leading to a transition layup by DeMarre Carrol. Atlanta would have an 80-78 lead with 14 seconds left to play. 

The Wizards were in this same situation with 14 seconds left in Game 3 as Pierce hit a game winner at the buzzer. It was in his hands once again and he knocked down a three ball from the corner to give Washington the 81-80 lead with eight seconds left.

The Hawks would have the last shot of the game. Dennis Schroder drove to the basket where John Wall would block his layup attempt, but Al Horford soared in and secured the rebound away from Nene and would lay it in with 1.9 seconds remaining. John Wall's desperation heave from halfcourt was no good giving Atlanta the Game 5 victory and a 3-2 series lead.

The winner of Game 5 wins over 82 percent of the time when a series is tied 2-2.

Atlanta will try to close out the series and move onto the Eastern Conference Finals Friday night at the Verizon Center for Game 6.