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Atlanta, Ga- Trae Young showed why he was traded for in the 2018 NBA Draft by hitting a 33-foot game winning three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left to give the Atlanta Hawks the win 130-127 over the San Antonio Spurs.
Young scored 22 points and added a team high seven assist. “I knew we were tied so I wanted to make sure it was the last shot so if I made it, we’re good and if I missed it we were going into overtime,” said Young.
Atlanta started the game with a rapid pace. Taurean Prince came out hot going 7-8 from the field with 16 points in the first quarter. “My coaches definitely put me in the better position knowing what the defense gives up. Definitely give credit to the coaches,” stated Prince.
DeAndre Bembry came off the bench with seven in the quarter as the Hawks trailed the Spurs 36-32 at the end of the first.
The Hawks’ bench scored 48 points lead by Bembry’s 14 points. “Thought everybody that stepped in contributed. It’s great to see everyone contribute, not just scoring but in different ways,” stated coach Lloyd Pierce.
Although the defense seemed scarce, there was one instance where there were back-to-back blocked shots by Alex Poythress and the next time down the floor, Jeremy Lin was able to get a block which sparked a three pointer by Tyler Dorsey.
Young was able to get others involved with four assist in the first half including a full court length pass to Alex Len for a dunk on Jacob Poeltl.
The second half started out with a 15-0 run highlighted by a Len dunk over Pau Gasol which energized the team and the crowd.
The Hawks bench didn’t let the lead squander keeping the pace and scoring up.
With the starters getting extended minutes for both teams, the game became more competitive and physical.
San Antonio took the lead late in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer by Rudy Gay but never lead again. Gay led the Spurs with 28 points.
Young hit a floater to take the lead back with under 30 seconds. Spurs tied the game once again which lead to the three-pointer by Young to give the hawks the win.
“Great for him [Young] to get that burden of shooting off his back to hit a game winner her in Atlanta,” stated Pierce.
The Hawks will travel to Miami to play the Heat on tomorrow night for the last preseason game.
