Hawks’ Trae Young pokes fun at Timberwolves’ strategy after win

The Atlanta Hawks pulled off a massive comeback, notching a 127-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 30. At one point in the contest, the Hawks trailed by 21 points. But, with the aid of a Dejounte Murray-led surge in the third quarter, they pulled off the unlikely win.

“We were setting more screens,” Trae Young said via the team about the comeback. “They guarding me like I’m shooting 40, 50% from three, and they picking me up full court, three-quarters court. So we just set the screen a little higher, and I was able to get downhill, and made a couple floaters, hit one three, and was able to find some other guys.”

Young finished with 24 points, scoring 12 points in each half.

Murray finished with 41 points, scoring 22 of them in the third quarter which the Hawks won 38-19 and eight assists. They also won the fourth quarter 29-15.

“DJ played a hell of a game,” Trae Young said. “DJ’s the reason why we won tonight. That third quarter, the way he finished that quarter. … And it was good to see, and we needed him to have it for us to come back and win.”

The win put the Hawks at 2-2 on the season. Not where they want to be after finishing last season 41-41. But their effort over the last two games, particularly on the defensive end, has been far more emblematic of the team they talked like they wanted to be in the offseason. And, when they perform up to that level, the results have been impressive.

If there was one area Young could improve on, it was his three-point shooting.

He was just 1-for-7 from beyond the arc on the night and is shooting 24.1% from long distance to begin the season.

Young led the NBA in total points two seasons ago, and he finished ninth last season. He has also historically tended to heat up from deep from January through March before tailing off again towards the end of the season.

Hawks’ Dejounte Murray reacts to Clippers-Sixers trade

Overnight, the Philadelphia 76ers agreed to trade disgruntled guard James Harden to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for a package of players and picks. The deal had been rumored for some time but, similar to the Hawks’ many rumored dealings this past offseason, it had to overcome several obstacles before being completed.

While everything went down late in the night, plenty of people were awake to react including Murray who only moments before was lamenting not being able to fall asleep after the big win.

https://twitter.com/DejounteMurray/status/1719233760103678347

The Hawks were never in the running for Harden. But the trade does make Philly an even more intriguing opponent to keep watch on as the season progresses. They are said to still be exploring further deals to upgrade the roster around Joel Embiid.

Some names said to be of interest to the Sixers include Zach LaVine and OG Anunoby.

The Hawks will get to test the Washington Wizards’ strategy when they next take the floor, a home tilt set for November 1.