Hawks’ Trae Young reacts to career night by Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama

The Atlanta Hawks were idle on Thursday, enjoying a couple of days off – and their three-year win streak – ahead of their tilt versus the New Orleans Pelicans on November 4.

Trae Young took advantage of the free time, taking in the matchup between the Phoenix Suns, led by offseason training partner Kevin Durant, and the San Antonio Spurs headlined by No. 1 overall pick, Victor Wembanyama.

“Wemby is special man,” Young exclaimed on X on November 2.

The 7-foot-4 rookie, Wembanyama, finished the 132-121 victory with 38 points against the Suns, the third-most in a single game by a Spurs rookie behind only David Robinson. And he is the first player to reach 100 points and 10 blocks through his first five games since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, per ESPN Stats & Info.

“He’s gonna create his own lane that’s much different than anybody who’s ever played,” Durant said via the Suns after the game.

Wembanyama also had 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal with two turnovers.

“7’5 is really OD.. lol,” Young posted on draft night on June 22 where it had been a foregone conclusion that Wembanayma would go No. 1 overall for months. “You gotta be happy for this Kid, he gonna be special ! Look forward to competing Killa.”

The Hawks and Spurs will first meet on November 30 in San Antonio when both teams are slated to wear their City Edition uniforms. Wembanyama and Co. will visit the Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 15, giving fans in Atlanta a chance to marvel at the young phenom up close.

Hawks’ Dejounte Murray praises former Spurs teammate

Dejounte Murray is a former Spur and many of his old teammates are still on their roster this season, one of them being guard Keldon Johnson. Murray sent a shoutout to Johnson amid their first encounter with the Suns this season.

Johnson had 27 points on 50% shooting with 44.4% shooting from deep in that contest, a 115-114 Spurs win on November 1.

“I See You KELDON,” Murray exclaimed. “#BigBody”.

He had just seven points on a tough shooting night (27.3% FG) in the rematch but still got the win. Johnson and Murray spent three seasons as teammates and many saw the former’s emergence as the beginning of the end for the latter in San Antonio. The Hawks acquired Murray from the Spurs ahead of last season after his first All-Star appearance.

Since arriving, Murray has provided a second star to carry the load when Young cannot more often than not while providing leadership on and off of the court. All in all, the trade seems to have worked out for all parties.