Trae Young missing time vs BOS showed the Atlanta Hawks real problem
The Atlanta Hawks (29-32) were their usual inconsistent selves in dropping their second straight loss to the Boston Celtics, this time 107-98, and the second game in three tries since returning from the All-Star break. Now just one game ahead of the Washington Wizards for the final play-in spot, it was the Hawks offense that let them down.
They shot just 22.6 percent from three-point range and shot 10-of-24 from the midrange against the Celtics who rank second in defensive rating this season.
Trae Young suffered an ankle injury he said is “sore” but hopes to play through.
But it was in the time it took for him to be evaluated that we might have gotten a glimpse at what needs to change if the Hawks are going to make the postseason and make some noise if they get there.
The Atlanta Hawks surged with their best player off of the floor vs BOS
Atlanta’s poor shooting night is notable for the ninth-ranked offense that is also tied with the Chicago Bulls for the league lead in three-point efficiency knocking down their triples at a 37.4 percent clip. That number was an NBA-best 37.7 percent on the year before they wet the bed against the Celtics.
Their three-ball was indeed non-existent in the second half as they hit just 2-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc. But, hitting just 5-of-15 before the break, the more interesting aspect is that they maintained that level of aggression from long distance instead of going inside.
They were 12-of-15 in the restricted area, 19-of-28 overall in the paint, and 17-of-55 combined from every other spot on the floor.
That includes going 10-of-24 in the mid-range, an area in which they have thrived this season.
The Hawks rank fourth in the league in field goal percentage from the mid-range on the season connecting on 43.1 percent of their looks.
But it was when Young had to come out after landing on Marcus Smart’s foot that saw the Hawks turn a 23-19 advantage with 31 seconds remaining in the first quarter following his free throws into a 49-33 edge by the time he returned at the 6:20 mark in the second. They were outscored
The Hawks shot 81.8 percent and hit 3-of-4 triples in that 26-14 run over five-plus minutes.
Kevin Huerter, who struggled to nine points on 30.8 percent shooting with 1-of-5 threes going in, scored seven points while going 3-for-3 from the floor and hitting his only attempt from downtown in that stretch.
They only had two assists but the ball moved really well and kept the Celtics defense from settling in.
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It is no secret that Young is the engine that makes this squad go and the barometer for any postseason chances they may have. But in this one, the other Hawks clearly played better without him on the floor.
Huerter went 0-for-5 from the point Young returned through the end of the game.
Bogdan Bogdanovic dropped 15 points after that on 54.5 percent shooting, though, he did struggle from outside just as the rest of the team did hitting just 1-of-6 attempts. With Young out, Bogi shot 75.0 percent from the floor and hit 2-of-3 threes.
Danilo Gallinari had 12 points and eight rebounds. He shot 4-of-9 for the game and 2-of-2 with Young out.
It is no secret that Young, who finished with 31 points and six assists, is the engine that makes this squad go and the barometer for any postseason chances they may have. But in this one, the other Hawks clearly played better without him on the floor. Even Clint Capela went 2-for-2 with Young out but 0-for-2 with the superstar point guard on the floor.
No, the answer isn’t to move on from Young.
That would be a ridiculous suggestion given the historic nature of his season. Instead, they need to move on from such a Young-centric offense.
It is too easy to defend and fails to get the rest of the very talented individuals on this team involved unless they are adept at creating their own shot. That’s why Bogdanovic didn’t suffer as much as others with Young and why the former has thrived coming off of the bench.
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Perhaps, in a perfect world, that is a situation that would work best for Huerter, as a scoring threat off of the bench and away from the ball-control of Young. But, in a perfect world, they find that happy medium between Young doing what he does but also making sure the others do as well.