Young’s Stellar Performance Powers Hawks to a Narrow Victory Over Hornets

In a thrilling Friday night duel, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks outperformed LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets, dropping 38 points in a gripping 125-120 triumph. Despite Ball’s impressive 34 points and record-breaking nine 3-pointers, the Hawks soared to victory, with De’Andre Hunter contributing an additional 24 points.

Hornets’ Fighting Spirit Despite Missing Starters

The Hornets, although never taking the lead, managed to level the score twice in the last quarter, showing commendable resilience despite missing two starters, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams. The team announced that Miller will be sidelined for at least one week due to a strained left glute, while Williams was ruled out due to a strained tendon in his left foot.

Hornets’ Depth in Scoring

In spite of the absence of key players, the Hornets demonstrated their depth, with four players reaching double figures. Miles Bridges added 27 points, Tre Mann chipped in with 17 points, and Nick Richards delivered a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Youthful Young Leads Hawks’ Offensive

Young was the lynchpin for the Hawks’ offensive, consistently delivering crucial baskets or making significant plays whenever the Hornets threatened. With the scores level at 90, it was Young’s 3-pointer that restored the Hawks’ lead. When Charlotte’s Josh Green tied the game with a 3-pointer, Young responded with a timely short jumper.

Turning Point: Ball’s Fouls Prove Costly

A key turning point in the game came when Ball was benched due to his fifth foul with just under seven minutes remaining. He returned to the court with less than four minutes left, only to commit an offensive foul 15 seconds later. The sixth foul marked the end of Ball’s game, a fact Young immediately highlighted by raising six fingers.

Statistical Highlights and Looking Ahead

After being outscored 28-16 in the first quarter, the Hornets bounced back with a whopping 42 points in the second period, trailing the Hawks by a mere four points at halftime, with Ball scoring 18 points in that period alone.

Up next, the Hornets will host Miami in their home opener on Saturday, while the Hawks are set to visit Oklahoma City on Sunday.