Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to a 129-120 victory over the Phoenix Suns with a stellar performance, scoring 32 points and dishing out 15 assists during Friday’s NBA action.
Despite not being selected for the All-Star game, Young showcased his elite skills, going 7 for 11 from beyond the arc and contributing three steals. His performance was indicative of his season averages of 27 points and nearly 11 assists per game.
Hawks coach Quin Snyder praised Young’s dedication to winning over personal accolades, noting his exceptional play wasn’t just for show but a testament to his commitment to the team’s success. Young expressed willingness to join the All-Star game as an injury replacement, which would mark his third appearance.
“Obviously Trae wants to be in the All-Star game. Anyone who plays in this league wants to,” Snyder said. “One of the things about the way he is playing, he’s not playing for accolades. He’s playing to win, and you saw that tonight. … Trae did some special things tonight, and I don’t know if he did that because he had any extra motivation. You’ll have to ask him. I just felt like he was playing well.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns Updates
Bogdan Bogdanovic provided a significant boost off the bench, sinking 4-7 three-point attempts to total 23 points, helping Atlanta secure their third consecutive win. Dejounte Murray and Jalen Johnson also made notable contributions, scoring 22 and 16 points, respectively.
“Sometimes you take it for granted, the shots that (Bogdanovic) hits,” Snyder said. “He’s always ready to shoot. He can shoot contested shots.”
The game attracted fans eager to see Phoenix star Kevin Durant, who led the Suns with 35 points, along with eight rebounds and assists. Devin Booker also had a strong showing with 24 points. However, Young stole the spotlight, especially with a memorable shot from behind the backboard, although it was after a whistle.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns Updates
Young’s deep three-pointers forced the Suns to adjust their defense, but his ability to navigate traps opened the floor for both himself and his teammates.
“The deep 3-pointers pull the defense out, and it opens up the court not only for me but my teammates once I get it out of the trap,” Young said.
Phoenix, despite coming off a strong stretch, struggled with 17 turnovers and a disadvantage in rebounds, highlighting areas of concern as noted by Suns coach Frank Vogel.
“Our disposition wasn’t great to start the game,” Vogel said. “We didn’t have the same energy, focus and awareness that we had the last two games.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns Updates
The Hawks capitalized on a balanced attack during an 11-0 run, bridging the third and fourth quarters and setting the pace for the remainder of the game. Atlanta led by nine points entering the final period, maintaining their momentum to close out the win.
Injury updates included Saddiq Bey, who sprained his ankle and missed the second half, and De’Andre Hunter, who was sidelined with a knee issue but was expected to return against the Warriors.
Looking ahead, the Suns conclude a seven-game road trip against the Washington Wizards, while the Hawks prepare to host the Golden State Warriors in their next matchup.
