The Stat Line
Most importantly, Trae Young was able to back up his swagger and boundless confidence with a stat line that will be remembered for a while in Atlanta.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, Young’s 35-point, 10-assist showing against the Cavs was the 5th such game for a rookie in the past 25 years – joining Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Pretty good company, no? The most recent of those to do it was Curry, who did it late in his rookie year.
Trae Young is the 5th rookie with at least 35 points and 10 assists in a game over the last 25 seasons, joining Steph Curry, LeBron James, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd. pic.twitter.com/7NDgH6rH2l
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 22, 2018
Young, however, took it up a notch and delivered this striking performance just 3 games into his NBA career – upping his scoring and assist totals in each of his past 3 games. If he were to continue that trend, then the Atlanta Hawks home opener against the Mavs is sure to be a raucous affair.
Youngest players with 35 PTS/10 ASTS in a game in @NBAHistory:
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) October 22, 2018
LeBron James (19 years, 88 days - 3/27/2004): 41 PTS, 13 ASTS
LeBron James (20 years, 17 days - 1/16/2005): 35 PTS, 11 ASTS
Trae Young (20 years, 32 days - TONIGHT): 35 PTS, 11 ASTS pic.twitter.com/BGPPHZkop3
Trae Young looks the part of a future superstar after the first three games of the regular season, and we can’t wait to watch him for the rest of this season.
As we said, it’s definitely far too early to come to any finite conclusions, but last year was a real slog for the Hawks so it’s exciting to have someone tangible like Trae Young to cheer about this season. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s almost excessively likable.
Keep that same energy Trae!