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Trae Young drains game-winner to lift Hawks past 76ers

Ryan Young
·Staff writer

Once again, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young proved why he’s in the running for Rookie of the Year.

The Hawks were tied with the Philadelphia 76ers with just 3.5 seconds left Saturday night at State Farm Arena, and had one last chance to knock off one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Naturally, they went to their star rookie.

Young caught the inbounds pass at the top of the key, and instantly drove around Jimmy Butler to the hoop. He pulled up once he hit the free-throw line, expertly dropping the floater through the hoop to sink the game-winner, giving the Hawks the 129-127 win.

The win for the Hawks snapped Philadelphia’s six-game winning streak, too.

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 23: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 23, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Trae Young hit a game-winning floater to lift the Hawks past the 76ers on Saturday. (Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

“I wanted to get a couple dribbles in,” Young said. “I knew I had a little bit of time where I could get a quick couple dribbles and maybe a move before I needed to shoot the ball. I wanted to get to my strong suit and get to my pull up, that midrange, that floater I have. I just wanted to get to that.”

Young finished with 32 points and 11 assists in the win, shooting 11 of 20 from the field. Taurean Prince added 23 points for the Hawks, and Dewayne Dedmon finished with 17.

Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 27 points and 12 rebounds, marking his 16th straight double-double. Butler added 25 points, and Ben Simmons put up 21 points.

Young is in a tight battle with Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic for the Rookie of the Year award, and has been all season. Young has averaged 18.5 points and 7.8 assists per game, compared to Doncic’s 21 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

While the Hawks are well out of playoff contention — they are currently 12th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 26-48 record — Young said they still have a lot to play for, especially when he can play in a moment like he did on Saturday night.

“Very exciting. Those are the type of plays you live for,” Young said. “Shot clock, game clock going down ... I wanted to get a good shot. For me, I love living in those type of moments and being in those situations to make a play for my team.”

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