Atlanta Hawks: Rapid Reaction to Loss vs. Rockets, Big Game for Trae Young

A quick recap of an entertaining Atlanta Hawks game versus the Houston Rockets.

The Atlanta Hawks were defeated by the Houston Rockets by a final margin of 119 to 111, but the Hawks did manage to end James Harden’s historic 30+ point scoring streak, which had ballooned to 32 games – the second-longest streak of all time behind Wilt Chamberlain.

While Harden was able to waltz to the rim with ease in much of the 4th quarter, Harden seemed to be somewhat stymied by the Hawks’ trapping and double-teaming in the open court and it showed: Harden finished with 28 points, but he only shot 7 of 21 from the field with a terrible 0 of 10 showing from long distance.

The Rockets were able to eke out this win on the back of balanced scoring with 6 players in double figures, including Harden, Chris Paul (20 points), Eric Gordon (16 points) and Kenneth Faried (13 points, 10 rebounds) helping to lead Houston to a tight win at home.

Gordon, in particular, was huge for Houston as he ended with a +18 on/off rating in this – the highest of any player on either team.

However, for the Atlanta Hawks, this night belonged to Trae Young.

Trae was feeling it all night, and he ended up playing a career-high 40 minutes due to his hot hand. Trae’s outside shot was working beautifully, but he had not been able to match his incandescent scoring from the third game of the season, in which he logged 35 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tonight, Ice Trae one-upped himself and notched an extremely efficient 36 points. He went 12 of 23 from the field, but some of his misses late in the 4th quarter were a bit forced and slightly thirsty. No worries, though as he went an astonishing 8 of 12 from three-point territory, matching a rookie season-high held by Landry Shamet (then of the 76ers). Young, one of the best passers in the entire NBA, also finished with 8 assists.

This was an excellent game for the Atlanta Hawks, and a glimpse of what the future might hold for this team. If Trae and John Collins (20 points, 12 rebounds) had just a bit more two-way talent around them, they could be a real threat as soon as next year.

The Atlanta Hawks play next on Wednesday against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. EST.