Trae Young Lights Up Scoreboard with 81 Points in Two Games, Hawks Defense Falters
Bright sparks and struggles mark the Atlanta Hawks’ recent games. Trae Young, who had been grappling with his 3-point accuracy, seemed to find his groove, amassing an impressive 81 points across the last two matchups, hitting 13 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc.
In a dazzling display, Young notched 38 points against Indiana and followed it up with a staggering 43-point performance against the Nets. While the Hawks collectively piled up 299 points during this span, their defensive efforts faltered significantly, allowing a total of 302 points against their adversaries.
This scoring spree resulted in a mixed bag for Atlanta—a narrow 157-152 loss to the Pacers followed by a thrilling 147-145 overtime victory against the Nets. The consecutive games turned out to be high-octane showdowns, showcasing Atlanta’s involvement in two frenetic contests on consecutive nights.
Young’s heroics continued in clutch moments, pulling off game-changing plays on both occasions. Despite missing a critical free throw with one second remaining against the Nets, he redeemed himself by sinking the crucial shot that propelled the game into overtime, where he dominated with 14 points, including the game-winning basket.
Remarkably, Young’s efficiency from the perimeter against the Nets stood out with an 8-for-16 shooting from the 3-point line. However, his 43-point feat came from 31 attempts, marking a season-high in shot attempts for him. Alongside Dejounte Murray, Atlanta’s backcourt contributed a hefty 52 shots in total.
Despite defensive vulnerabilities, the Hawks managed to maintain a 7-7 record for the season. However, their defensive lapses raise concerns about the sustainability of this approach. Nonetheless, the team values win in the short term, acknowledging the need for Young’s continued hot streak from the 3-point range for long-term success.
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