Trae Young sends warning about slump following Hawks' win over Pelicans

The Atlanta Hawks have won four straight games.

Their latest, a home date against the New Orleans Pelicans, featured the return of former Hawks star Dejounte Murray. While the Hawks got a win, three-time All-Star Trae Young’s shooting slump continued.

Young finished with 12 points on 31.3% shooting overall and was 2-for-9 from beyond the arc in the Hawks’ 124-112 win.

Young’s points are tied for his fourth-lowest mark in a game this season.

Trae Young helping Hawks without pouring in points

His efficiency was his fifth-lowest mark of the year. After the game, Young was asked about impacting the game when his shot is not falling. He had 15 assists in the win over the Pels. It was his seventh game with double-digit assists in the last eight outings.

Young said that was always part of his game, and then he spoke candidly about his mindset on his efficiency woes.

“That's what I've always done. I mean, for me it's nothing new. My shot’s still not going down. And then, trust me, once that starts falling, it's a different ball game. But we're winning right now, and that's all that matters to me. To be honest with you, I know I can impact the game in multiple ways. I don't have to just score. I can play defense, I can get everybody involved, I can rebound, I can do a lot of things,” Young told reporters on December 2.

“My shot, obviously, hasn't been falling this first little quarter of the season. But we still got some more quarters left to turn it around.”

Young is averaging 17.6 points on 38.4% shooting (30.6% 3P) over his last 10 appearances.

He also averaged 12.9 assists and 1.3 steals during that stretch. The Hawks have found a winning stride while Young continues to struggle shooting the ball. As he suggested, that bodes well for them when he does hit shots. 

Trae Young knows Dejounte Murray ‘hurt’ after loss to Hawks

Murray also struggled in his return to Atlanta, finishing with 7 points on 13.3% shooting and going 1-for-7 from downtown. 

Young said it was “different” playing against his “really good friend” and former teammate.

“He's just getting back from injury and, obviously, he didn't play a really good game tonight. We knew he was a focal point for their team, so we tried to make it as tough as possible for him. And we did a good job on him,” Young said.

“For me, obviously, I want him to play good every night besides the nights he plays us, especially him being in the West doesn't really affect us as much so. We've still been communicating behind the scenes every now and then, we both check up on each other. But I'm glad we got this one. I know he's hurt he didn't win tonight, just I know the competitor he is.”