Trae Young makes feelings on officiating in Hawks' loss to Kings crystal clear

Trae Young did not address head coach Quin Snyder’s extended remarks about his performance in the loss to the Sacramento Kings; the Atlanta Hawks' fourth straight defeat.

He was not asked.

Young was asked about some late calls that did not go the Hawks’ way, and the three-time All-Star began to speak his mind before quickly refocusing on his desired message after the team’s fourth straight defeat amid myriad injuries.

“This s*** is getting old with them [the officials],” Young told reporters after the game on November 1. “That's been the thing since I've been here in Atlanta. But I'm not even going to talk about the refs anymore. That's not my not my thing. I'm older, more mature now, so I don't need to worry about those people in stripes. 

“I just got to worry about my team. I feel like the way the game was called, we still played through some calls and still still found a way to get into the game. So it wasn't as deflating as some of the calls may have been. I think we still had a chance to win and still had a chance to be right there which is a good sign. Obviously, I don't like moral victories at all, so – anything like that. But [if there is] anything that we can take from this, it’s the guys coming off the bench, playing really well, and giving us a spark which is good.”

Young's "lack" of address for the call speaks volumes. The Hawks committed one more foul than the Kings in the fourth quarter. The Kings took seven more free throws. 

Officials tagged Young with an offensive foul for hooking Kings star De’Aaron Fox during the former's drive to the basket. The Hawks had cut a 12-point deficit to start the fourth quarter down six points when Young was called for the infraction. 

Jalen Johnson was whistled on back-to-back possessions late on that sent DeMar DeRozan to the free throw line. For Johnson -- and Zaccharie Risacher early in the game -- it is a learning experience.

The calls against Johnson negated a seemingly clutch three-pointer from Keaton Wallace. 

Trae Young praises Hawks resiliency in loss to Kings

“It was really good,” Young said of the Hawks’ rally. “I think the way we competed, the way Keaton came in the game, Garrison came in the game, really changed the game. And that's what happens whenever guys get opportunities and they take advantage of it. We made some runs. Wasn't able to take the lead or even make it a bigger lead. But the way we fought was good to see for sure.

“It's a long season. I'm not wanting to get too high or too low at any point. I've been on three, four-game losing streaks and we won two, three right after. We just got to find a way to win one game. I think that's the thing about this league, is it's so hard to win no matter who you’re playing. But every night you can win at the same time. So I think the hardest part is figuring out how to win. Once you win a game and you can fight for 48 minutes, and you're in a tough battle in the fourth quarter, and you pull it out, that gives your team more confidence and in different ways.

“We haven't done that, and we got to get back to figure out how to win one game at a time, and then try to stack more.”

Young appreciated his teammates rushing to aid him after he took an offensive foul late.

He noted that is why he lays his body on the line for the team and the organization, both of which are particularly notable amid some early speculation about what the future might hold with the three-time All-Star extension-eligible next offseason.

Young was the subject of trade rumors over the offseason, which he rejected on their face. The organization has not said as much, but the front office built the roster around his skill set.

The Hawks’ extensive injuries have only exacerbated matters on the court.

Young lauded the Hawks’ camaraderie, noting that chemistry is vital to finding success as a team. But he also corrected himself slightly, bumping it from the No. 1 step to No. 2 in favor of health.

The Hawks’ roster shuffle has left many of the healthy Hawks players to play together for the first time, which Young believes has been the difference.