Everybody is eating for the Atlanta Hawks this season, and it might earn them a spot in the history books. With Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter both averaging more than 20.0 points, Jalen Johnson (currently at 19.9 points per game) is one 23-point performance from giving the Hawks three 20-point scorers.
In the 21st century, only six teams have boasted three players averaging at least 20.0 points in a single season while playing enough games to qualify for a scoring title. Last year, Kristaps Porzingis averaged 20.1 points as a third option for the Boston Celtics but missed scoring title qualification by one game.
Assuming Hunter does not miss a significant amount of time again, Atlanta’s terrific trio should meet the games-played requirement to achieve this stat. All the Hawks need is for Johnson to crack the 20-point threshold and maintain his scoring average from there.
The Hawks have accomplished this rare feat two times in franchise history, but it happened when the team still played out of St. Louis. Hawks legend and two-time MVP Bob Pettit led a 20-point trio in the 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons. Hall-of-Famers Cliff Hagan and Clyde Lovellette rounded out St. Louis’ “Big Three.”
More than 60 years later, the Hawks could do it again. Young’s career-high 12.1 assists per game have fueled Atlanta’s “everybody eats” offense. Ice Trae is orchestrating the kind of ball movement Hawks fans have dreamed of for years, allowing players like Hunter and Johnson to reach new heights.
Young exploded for 34 points and 10 assists in his latest outing to help Atlanta secure a fourth straight win. After a rocky start to the season, the Hawks now find themselves with the No. 5 seed in the east. Their contributions from an underrated "Big Three" of Young/Johnson/Hunter have certainly helped the cause.
Trae Young last night:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 30, 2024
❄️ 34 PTS
❄️ 10 AST
Tying Russ for the fourth-most such games in NBA history 🥶@TheTraeYoung x @UPS pic.twitter.com/d0tTtxpilM
Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter are having breakout seasons for the Hawks
When the Hawks traded Dejounte Murray over the summer, many fans wondered where Atlanta’s scoring outside of Young would come from. Thankfully for those fans, Johnson and Hunter have answered their question with a breakout season from each.
Johnson is building a strong case for Most Improved Player. The fourth-year forward is currently No. 1 in betting odds for MIP on most major sportsbooks. He is averaging a double-double for the first time in his career with 10.2 rebounds a night, and he has improved his averages for assists, steals, and blocks.
Meanwhile, Hunter’s career year has vaulted him into serious Sixth Man of the Year talks. The former No. 4 pick is averaging a career-high 20.6 points on a blistering 45.2% from three. He has also enjoyed a resurgence on the defensive end, helping the Hawks post their strongest defensive rating of the Trae Young era.
Atlanta could make history with a trio of 20-point scorers, but the team is most focused on winning right now. Since stumbling their way to a 7-11 record, the Hawks have rattled off 11 wins in their last 15 games. They have owned a top-10 net rating during that stretch.
With their new Big Three balling out on a nightly basis, the Hawks seem poised for a huge 2025.