Atlanta Hawks’ second-year guard, Trae Young, lit up the Indiana Pacers for 49 points, but the Pacers held off Young and the Hawks in overtime to secure a 105-104 victory. The Hawks lost again, and their skid reached nine games in a row.
Young set a season-high, and tied a career-high with 49 points. He added six assists and two steals in 43 minutes of action. He connected on 16-of-28 shots, including 8-for-15 from 3-point range.
Young is fifth in scoring in the NBA, averaging 27.9 points per game. He’s also third overall in the NBA with 8.4 assists per game.
Stats: Trae Young vs. Pacers (11.29.19)
Points: 49
Minutes: 43
Assists: 6
FG: 16-28
3-PT FG: 8-15
FT: 9-9
Young scored 30-plus points in nine games this season. He’s scored 40-plus twice, including 49 points against the Pacers, and a 42-point game in a 125-121 victory over the Nuggets in Denver.
Earlier in the week, Young became the youngest player in Hawks history to reach 2,000 points at 21 years and 69 days. He can thank Steph Curry for proving to NBA stalwarts that little guys can bring it at the pro level.
Young-tastic 49
The Hawks (4-15) struggle to close out games. They blew an 11-point lead at halftime after the Pacers (12-6) shrugged off a slow start, and came alive in the second half.
“I was thinking it was too much turkey,” said Pacers head coach, Nate McMillian. “We looked asleep in the first half.”
Shooting guard, Jeremy Lamb led the Pacers with 20 points. Newly-acquired point guard, Malcolm Brogdon, added 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Forward, Domantas Sabonis scored 17 points and hauled down 12 rebounds in the overtime win.
Young had one of those nights when he was a one-man wrecking crew with 49 points, including eight treys. No other starter (D’Andre Hunter) scored more than seven points for the Hawks. Alex Len and DeAndre Bembry each chipped in 15 points off the bench.
“The head of the snake, Trae Young, he was great tonight,” said Pacers guard Jeremey Lamb. “He was great, but we were able to get enough stops.”
“I guess it was good individually, but people who know me know I don’t care at all,” said Young after the game. “If we don’t win, none of that matters. I didn’t do enough.”
On Deck: Harden and Rockets
The Hawks lost nine in a row, and 12 out of their last 13 games. After starting the season 2-0, the Hawks are 2-15, and are sitting in last place in the Southeast Division.
The Hawks fly to Houston to complete back-to-back games, and a three-game road trip. James Harden and the Rockets are -13.5 favorites. If you like great scoring duels, keep an eye on the Harden vs. Young matchup tonight.
The Hawks return to Atlanta for two home games this week. They have a potential slump buster opponent when the banged-up, last-place Golden State Warriors show up in Hotlanta on Monday. The Hawks host the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.