ATLANTA — In a thrilling season opener, Trae Young shone with a remarkable performance, scoring 30 points and dishing out 12 assists as the Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the Brooklyn Nets, 120-116, on Wednesday evening.
Young’s efforts helped secure the win, especially as he converted crucial free throws with just two seconds left on the clock.
Adding to the excitement, Onyeka Okongwu had a standout game, achieving a career-best 28 points while demonstrating impressive accuracy, hitting 11 of 12 field goal attempts and all six free throws.
Despite the loss, the Nets saw a stellar performance from Cam Thomas, who led his team with 36 points, marking a strong start for new head coach Jordi Fernández.
Jalen Johnson, who recently extended his contract worth $150 million, contributed 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
The highly anticipated rookie, Zaccharie Risacher — the first overall pick in this year’s draft — began his professional journey by making his initial 3-point attempt; however, he finished with only seven points, shooting 2-of-8 from the field.
Key Takeaways:
For the Nets, Thomas is poised to be a central figure, capable of producing significant scoring numbers amidst a team in a rebuilding phase with limited options.
On the other hand, for the Hawks, Dyson Daniels, after a muted initial two seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, displayed promising potential with Atlanta, contributing 15 points and securing five steals.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton was ejected with 8:03 left after committing a foul on Daniels, delivering a clothesline hit while scrapping for a drive to the basket.
Though Daniels quickly jumped up and pursued Claxton, no physical altercation unfolded; however, the incident appeared to galvanize the Hawks’ energy on the court.
Statistically, the Hawks faced challenges at the free-throw line, completing only 33 of 46 attempts, which hindered them from expanding their lead throughout the game.
Looking ahead, the Nets will embark on a trip to Orlando to take on the Magic this coming Friday, while the Hawks are set to host the Charlotte Hornets on the same night.