Sometimes it is just too obvious to ignore, and that was the case for Trae Young during the Atlanta Hawks’ latest loss, a 114-108 defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic in the first game back for both teams since the All-Star break.
Both teams' runs were typical in the game. The Hawks got off to a hot start, but the Magic erased a 19-point Atlanta lead to win amid ample miscues by the host.
It also featured a massive disparity in the fouls called.
The Hawks were whistled 25 times to 22 for the Magic, and the numbers skew even more when broken down official by official. While it is hardly the reason the Hawks dropped the game, Young’s comments after the game are certainly understandable.
“I don’t know if it’s setting the tone. I think we set the tone too. I think it was just officiated one-sided. Some refs take it personal. Some refs have held things personal. Even against me, and that’s fine. For me, I like standing up for my teammates. I feel like they [the Magic] shot 10 more free throws than us,” Young told reporters on February 20.
“I feel like if you ask anybody around the league, you would know that they’re probably a more physical team than we are. And the way we drove, even some of the guys were laughing when they weren’t calling fouls when we’d go on the other end. So it’s just – it’s frustrating.”
Foul summary (manual count)
— G Willis (@willis_glen) February 21, 2025
47 fouls
Kevin Scott 12 (Magic 7 / Hawks 5)
Natalie Sago 9 (Magic 5 / Hawks 4)
John Conley 26 (Magic 9 / Hawks 17)
One official just got out of control
Hope it’s a learning opportunity
Magic still outplayed the Hawks in this game
Young, who was correct about the free-throw disparity, picked up all four of his fouls in the fourth quarter all within two minutes.
“I know a few of those refs have been known for throwing people out throughout the year; things like that, so. I even asked Caitlyn [Natalie Sago?] if she liked throwing people out, and she said that’s what makes her a good ref. So it’s like that it’s personal for some of these refs and some stuff that fans don’t even get to hear,” Young said.
“You just wish that you could get some refs that just don’t take things personal and understand that people grow. I’m not 19 anymore. I can communicate with these people, and I have with a lot of the refs. And I feel like the refs have been responsive for the most part. But then you get a few, a handful that – like we get tonight – that just take it personal, and you can see it by the way they make their calls.”
Trae Young’s valiant effort squandered in Hawks’ loss
The Hawks’ loss was disappointing on multiple levels, and many of them revolve around Young whose future has been brought back into the spotlight following the trade deadline.
Young had a game-high 38 points, overcoming his struggles with efficiency from long distance (30.8% 3P) with an 8-for-10 night at the free throw line. He scored 15 points in the fourth quarter. He also said he did not feel he sufficiently got his teammates involved and cited the team's misses.
The Hawks had five players reach double-digit points, including Young, to four for the Magic.
However, the Magic – led by a 36-10-5 night from Paolo Banchero and a 25-7-5 line from Franz Wagner – shot 48.2% as a team from the floor compared to 39% for the Hawks.
No other Hawks player scored more than Caris LeVert’s 13 points off the bench. The Hawks’ lack of scoring is not entirely shocking. They are without Jalen Johnson and Larry Nance Jr. while the Magic are good defensively.
Still, it is an ominous development with 26 games left to at least secure a path to the playoffs.
The Hawks face the Detroit Pistons in their next matchup (February 23). But they will see the Magic again two days later, setting up for a spirited rematch.
Young kept the faith, asserting that this loss does not spell the end for the Hawks this season. That is a good sign, especially with his upcoming contract situation looming as a likely underlying storyline the rest of the way this season.