Trae Young’s Career Night: 22 Assists and a Big Win Over the Cavs
CLEVELAND — If you thought the Cleveland Cavaliers were untouchable at home, think again. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks had other plans on Thursday night, delivering a stunning 135-124 victory that handed the Cavs just their second loss of the season. Young was the maestro of the night, dishing out a career-high 22 assists – the most in the NBA this season – while also scoring 20 points. It was a performance that silenced the raucous Cleveland crowd and reminded everyone why Young is one of the league’s premier playmakers.
The Cavaliers, who entered the game with a sparkling 17-1 record, were looking to extend their dominance and become the first team to start 18-1 or better. Instead, they fell to 17-2 and suffered their first home loss in 11 games. For a team that had been nearly invincible on their home court, this was a wake-up call.
Hawks Soar Behind Young and Supporting Cast
While Young’s 22 assists stole the headlines, this was a total team effort by the Hawks. De’Andre Hunter poured in 26 points, and Jalen Johnson added 22. Rookie sensation Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, showcased his potential by scoring 13 of his 17 points in a blistering three-minute stretch to open the second half. It was a balanced attack that kept Cleveland on its heels all night.
“Trae didn’t have his best shooting night (6 of 18), but he made sure everyone else got involved,” said Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. “That’s what great players do – they elevate the team.”
Cavs Show Cracks in the Armor
For Cleveland, this was a rare off night at home. The Cavs jumped out to an early 19-point lead, but it may have lulled them into a false sense of security. Despite strong performances from Donovan Mitchell (30 points) and Evan Mobley (22 points, 13 rebounds), they couldn’t match Atlanta’s energy and execution down the stretch.
“We got comfortable,” admitted Mitchell after the game. “You can’t do that against a team like Atlanta. They’ll make you pay.”
Key Moment: Young’s Deep Dagger
With the Hawks clinging to a four-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Young nearly turned the ball over on a crucial possession. But in true Trae Young fashion, he recovered, stepped back, and drained a 39-foot three-pointer to push the lead to 129-122 with just 1:23 remaining. It was the kind of shot that takes the air out of an arena – and the Cavs never recovered.
Key Stat: Defensive Excellence
While Young’s assists were the story of the night, Atlanta’s defense deserves some love too. Dyson Daniels, who leads the NBA in steals at 3.13 per game, continued his disruptive play. No player has averaged over three steals per game for a season since Milwaukee’s Alvin Robertson (3.04) in 1990-91. Daniels’ ability to create turnovers has been a game-changer for the Hawks this season.
Takeaways
- Hawks: This win snapped a three-game losing streak for Atlanta and marked their second big road victory of the season. The first came on Nov. 12 in Boston, a game they won without Young. Thursday’s performance showed that when this team is clicking, they can beat anyone.
- Cavaliers: Cleveland’s early dominance may have worked against them. Building a 19-point lead seemed to make them complacent, and they paid the price. This loss exposed some vulnerabilities, especially in crunch-time execution.
What’s Next?
The Hawks and Cavs won’t have to wait long for a rematch. The two teams meet again on Friday in an NBA Cup game in Atlanta. The stakes are high, with the Hawks (2-1) tied for first in Group C and the Cavs (1-1) needing a win to stay in contention. Expect fireworks as both teams look to make a statement.
For now, though, the night belongs to Trae Young and the Hawks. With a career-high 22 assists and a clutch performance in the final minutes, Young reminded everyone why he’s one of the most electrifying players in the league. Cleveland may have been the favorite, but Atlanta walked away with the win – and all the momentum heading into Friday’s showdown.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
