The Atlanta Hawks have the most clutch backcourt in the NBA

The Atlanta Hawks have emerged as one of the most clutch teams in basketball this season. Despite a never-ending slew of injury woes, the Hawks have the second-most clutch wins in the league and the eighth-best win percentage in such games. In the NBA, clutch games occur when the score is within 5 points in the last 5 minutes of a contest.

Trae Young and Dyson Daniels have fueled Atlanta’s clutch gene as the best crunch-time backcourt on the planet. Both Hawks guards have dominated the league in multiple categories down the stretch of close games.

Young currently leads the league in clutch points, assists, made 3-pointers, and made free throws. Meanwhile, Daniels has recorded the most steals in the clutch and the second-most clutch blocks among guards.

Atlanta’s dynamic duo is enjoying its first season together, but the pair of talented guards look like they have been sharing the court for years. Daniels’ defensive wizardry has complemented Young’s otherworldly playmaking for the Hawks better than anyone could have expected. Daniels doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective on offense, and that has also helped him thrive alongside a higher-usage teammate in Ice Trae.

The Hawks may need Trae Young and Dyson Daniels to take another leap this season

While Young and Daniels have already established themselves as an elite tandem, they may need to step it up even further with the injury bug hitting Atlanta harder than ever.  

Jalen Johnson’s torn labrum was the first domino to fall before Vit Krejci and Larry Nance Jr. were ruled out for extended periods before the All-Star Break. Krejci has a fracture in his back, and Nance suffered a fractured knee.

Hawks fans have seen Young take his game to the next level when needed, and Daniels began to heat up on offense before the break. Over his last 15 games, he has averaged 16.3 points, 6.7 boards, 4.9 assists, and 2.7 steals on 52.6% shooting from the field and 38.9% shooting from three.

The Australian ball hawk has played historic defense all season, but an offensive leap for Daniels could catapult the Hawks into a legitimate playoff run. It didn’t take long for Atlanta fans to fall in love with the Great Barrier Thief and his two-way brilliance. At just 21 years old, he may have another gear the Hawks haven’t seen – yet.

As for Young, the four-time All-Star can still improve upon his career-low 40.7% mark from the field. Young has made up for his efficiency struggles with a career-high 11.5 assists per game, but he can take his game to another level. And nobody knows this better than Young himself.

Heading into their post-ASB stretch of basketball with a 26-29 record, the Hawks will need the best versions of Young and Daniels night in and night out to secure a playoff berth.