Trae Young did something only 17 others have. The last time it was done was in 2021.
It has been a while since we asserted that Young is a superstar. But it feels necessary amid the way he has been playing this season and, even more, following his sensational performance in the Hawks' win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Young had 31 points, 20 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals to just 3 turnovers. He did not shoot well overall but was 5-for-13 (38.5%) from beyond the arc, including the game-winner.
“TRAE MF YOUNG,” Jalen Johnson posted on X on December 6 in reaction to the game.
RAYFORD TRAE YOUNG FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/zMMmQc2ZsY
— Hawks On FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Hawks) December 7, 2024
For context, that is Johnson’s first X post since October 8. Johnson was also in foul trouble during the contest, picking up his fourth early in the third quarter. He still finished just shy of a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal.
However, he also turned the ball over 6 times. That has been a bugaboo, though it is probably to be expected given his increased role this season.
Without him on the floor much in the third quarter, Young took over dropping 15 points.
Young struggled in the fourth quarter, going 0-for-6 from the floor and 0-for-2 from downtown, failing to even get to the free throw line. He stepped back up in overtime, scoring 7 points on 60% shooting, including 1-for-2 from long range.
This is the 18th time in NBA history a player has recorded a 30-point, 20-assist game, and it is the first time it has been done since the 2020-21 season.
Trae Young’s shift in playing style helping Hawks
The Hawks will take on the Denver Nuggets on Sunday before facing the New York Knicks in the next round of the Emirates NBA Cup.
This was the third time in Young’s career that he dished out 20-plus assists.
Not only is it the second one of the season, but it happened less than two weeks after he last did it. This is also just the third time Young has surpassed the 20-point mark during the Hawks’ win streak, and the first time in three games.
It is his first time scoring at least 30 points during the stretch. The win over LA was the first game in which Young attempted more than 19 shots during the Hawks’ run.
The less helio-centric approach makes the Hawks more difficult in the heart of the game.
It still comes down to Young in clutch moments. But the Hawks can and are putting teams through the wringer before that point in games. Where it all leads is unclear, but it has been fun to watch and is encouraging for them moving forward.