Trae Young scored 35 points and made all 21 of his free throws, leading the Atlanta Hawks to their fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 123-110 on March 12, 2025, at State Farm Arena.
Young's performance not only marked him as the sixth player in NBA history to make at least 21 free throws without missing but also showcased his playmaking abilities with 12 assists, even as he struggled from the field, shooting only 7 of 20 and missing all five of his 3-point attempts.
The Hawks, who now hold the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, find themselves just five games behind the idle sixth-place Detroit Pistons, with their eye on improving their playoff position and avoiding the play-in tournament.
"It’s great to get these wins together as we push for the playoffs," said Young, reflecting on the team’s recent streak.
The Hornets, on the other hand, sit at the second-to-last position in the Eastern Conference following their 16-48 record. Miles Bridges was one of the bright spots for Charlotte as he tallied 31 points and 11 rebounds. His performance, alongside LaMelo Ball's contributions of 25 points and 9 assists, showcased the Hornets' potential, but it wasn’t enough against the resilient Hawks.
Young's pivotal moment came with the Hawks trailing closely; his 17 points in the third quarter spearheaded Atlanta's efforts, and his team benefited from significant contributions off the bench. This depth was highlighted as Atlanta's reserves outscored Charlotte's bench 57-18.
"Atlanta's second unit was impressive tonight, really stepping up when it counted," noted one analyst.
Key moments of the game included a layup by Onyeka Okongwu with just 10.6 seconds remaining before halftime, which sparked a 13-0 run for the Hawks and proved to be instrumental for their lead.
Looking at the stats, the Hawks dominated various aspects of the game. Their bench’s contribution and solid ball movement helped seal the victory. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers next, with heightened expectations after this win. Meanwhile, the Hornets will head to San Antonio, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
Both teams came ready to play, with the Hawks being favored before the game, thanks to predictions from Dimers. Leading up to their match, projections showed Atlanta holding a 72% chance of victory, which they fulfilled decisively.
This win is particularly significant as it sets the stage for the final stretch of the season. With every game counting down toward the playoffs, the Hawks are making their intentions clear. Their recent victories against tough opponents like the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers indicate they may be peaking at just the right time.
"The Hawks are coming together, and this stretch can define our season," added Young as he emphasized teamwork and resilience.
For the Hornets, the mission to improve continues. Having won two straight games prior, they showed glimpses of promise, but consistency remains elusive. The upcoming game against the Spurs is pivotal; it’s another chance for them to shake off the shackles of their disappointing season.
Overall, the Hawks are striving for higher standings, and with Young leading the charge, their playoff hopes are still alive. The action will continue on March 14, where both teams will seek to build on this evening's efforts.
The Atlanta Hawks have effectively taken another step closer to playoff contention, with Trae Young being the standout yet again, proving he can rise to the occasion when needed. The need for focus and effort from every player on the roster will be key as they march forward and face the challenges of the upcoming games.
Fans of both teams can certainly look forward to more exciting matchups as the NBA season progresses. A careful eye on both the standings and player performances will reveal who might emerge stronger as the postseason approaches.