The 2023-24 NBA regular season finale was not a pretty one for the Atlanta Hawks. They lost to the Indiana Pacers by 42, falling 157-115. The game was more competitive before head coach Quin Snyder removed his starters from the lineup, but it still isn’t the kind of performance a team would want heading into a do-or-die elimination game.
But, it is one that All-Star point guard Trae Young is going to remember for a long time. On Sunday, he recorded 12 assists against the Pacers. That gave him 3,868 for his career, which moves him into first place all-time for the franchise.
Former Hawks point guard and current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers had previously held the record before Young broke it. It is quite impressive for Young, as Rivers needed eight seasons to set the record while Young needed only six to break it.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Trae Young, Doc Rivers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
After the game, Young was emotional when speaking about the record he had broken. He was thankful for many things, especially the teammates who made it happen. Racking up assists cannot be done without talented teammates who can finish when you pass them the ball.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of it,” said Young, per Bally Sports: Hawks on X. “Assists are not just me. I’ve had some really good teammates over the years to be able to break this type of record so quick.”
As part of the interview with the reporter, Young was also asked about how he was feeling physically. Young was able to play in three games at the end of the regular season after recovering from surgery on his finger.
“I feel good. I used these three games to kind of get my wind under me. Coach played me a lot today, even in the first quarter, and I think in the third, he extended my minutes to try to get my wind under me, and it was more about that and just playing through it,” said Young.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Trae Young, Doc Rivers, Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Hawks are going to need Young to play up to his potential if they want to have any chance of keeping their playoff hopes alive. Atlanta is set to face off against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night in the first round of games in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The winner of that game will travel to take on the loser of the 7 vs. 8 matchup between the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. Whoever loses will start their offseason tasks, as their season will officially come to an end.
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