Hawks fan here. I’ll be going to catch the wizards vs hawks game at capital one arena. I should be landing in the afternoon, any recommendations for things to do or places to eat during the afternoon? Will I be able to park near the arena? Is traffic crazy? Thanks

CHICAGO — If height was the only trait that matters in basketball, Justin Champagnie would not be as important to the Washington Wizards as he’s been early this season. He stands a shade under 6 feet 6 in bare feet, a less-than-ideal size for someone who specializes in rebounding.

Desire, smarts and toughness matter, too, and Champagnie possesses all of those characteristics in abundance.

Champagnie proved his mettle yet again late in Saturday night’s third quarter against the Chicago Bulls. After a Bulls player missed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, the loose basketball deflected off Washington’s Trae Young and Chicago’s Matas Buzelis and careened toward Champagnie and Chicago’s Jalen Smith.

Smith is a 6-foot-9 center, and his wingspan is nearly five inches longer than Champagnie’s.

The physical advantage belonged to Smith. The ball belonged to Champagnie.

Read the rest here for free: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7725280/2026/10/26/justin-champagnie-washington-wizards/?unlocked_article_code=1.LlE.eWVT.s30oJMVcQmPH&source=emp_shared_article&smid=url-share-ta