TORONTO – Trae Young showcased an impressive performance by scoring 34 points and providing 10 assists, while De’Andre Hunter contributed 22 points in a dominant 136-107 victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. This win marked the Hawks’ fourth consecutive victory as they commenced a six-game road trip. The Raptors, on the other hand, faced their 10th loss in a row, struggling to keep up on both ends of the court.
Clint Capela added to the Hawks’ success with a notable contribution of 11 points and 13 rebounds. Despite efforts from Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, who netted 19 points, and RJ Barrett, who chipped in 17, the Raptors found themselves trailing by over 30 points at one stage. This defeat followed a particularly rough outing where Toronto allowed a franchise-record 155 points in their previous game against Memphis, marking a troubling trend for the struggling team.
Young’s shooting was particularly noteworthy as he managed to hit 7 out of 13 from beyond the arc, effectively outscoring the entire Raptors squad in three-point shots, as the team collectively made only 7 out of 24 attempts. In a bit of positive news for Toronto, Bruce Brown returned from a lengthy recovery after surgery on his right knee, marking his season debut. He made an impact off the bench, scoring 12 points in 19 minutes of play, including a highlight-reel one-handed dunk shortly after entering the game.
Takeaways from the game include Atlanta’s remarkable defensive effort, where they recorded 10 steals in the first quarter alone, finishing the night with a season-best total of 22 steals. In contrast, Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl returned to action after missing several games due to a strained groin, scoring 13 points.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the Hawks extended their six-point halftime lead to a commanding 22-point advantage by the end of the third quarter, fueled by an explosive 40-point offensive surge, with Young contributing 12 points during that span.
Statistically, the Raptors’ performance was marred by a dismal start, as they turned the ball over on five of their first six possessions. By the end of the first quarter, they had accumulated as many turnovers (10) as points, closing the first period with a staggering total of 31 turnovers for the game, marking a troubling season low.
Looking ahead, the Toronto Raptors will travel to Boston to face the Celtics on Tuesday afternoon, while the Atlanta Hawks will venture to Denver for a matchup on New Year’s Day, scheduled for Wednesday night.
