DETROIT (AP) — Trae Young delivered when it mattered most, sinking a 23-foot fadeaway jumper with just 1.6 seconds left, leading the Atlanta Hawks to victory over the Detroit Pistons with a final score of 132-130. Young's clutch performance saw him score 17 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, effectively ending the Hawks' eight-game losing streak.
Young was listed as probable due to right Achilles tendonitis, but his performance left no doubt he was healthy enough to spearhead his team, which played without Jalen Johnson. The star guard shot 9 of 16 from the field, including 4 of 8 from three-point range, and went 12 of 14 from the free-throw line, particularly shining when it counted as he drained several key shots late to secure the win.
The Pistons' Cade Cunningham matched Young's intensity, finishing the game with 30 points and 14 assists. Though Cunningham's contributions were significant, the Pistons failed to capitalize on their final possession, not attempting a shot as time expired, reflecting the missed opportunities throughout the game.
Atlanta's De’Andre Hunter added 20 points to the tally, proving to be another valuable asset alongside Young. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher made his mark as well, contributing 17 points to support the Hawks' efforts. Meanwhile, Detroit's Tobias Harris scored 22 points, Jalen Duren recorded 18 points and nine rebounds, and Malik Beasley also chimed in with 18 points.
One of the more dramatic moments was when Atlanta's Dyson Daniels poked the ball away from Cunningham leading to a pivotal turnover with only 35 seconds left on the clock as Detroit trailed by one point. Daniels finished the game with impressive stats of 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and three blocks. Not only did he contribute offensively and defensively, but he also became the first Hawk since Paul Millsap to achieve such comprehensive stats — more than 15 points, five rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks — all within three quarters of play.
The game illustrated the growing synergy within the Hawks under pressure, as they took the lessons from their previous defeats and channeled them effectively against the Pistons. After enduring numerous challenging matches, this victory came as much-needed relief, showcasing the Hawks' potential as they head toward the next fixtures.
Beasley, who is having quite the season on the court, has been impressive for Detroit, especially considering his $6 million, one-year contract. He is on pace to break the franchise's single-season record for three-pointers made. With six shots from beyond the arc against the Hawks, Beasley now has 191 three-pointers this season, tying with Alan Houston's record from 1995-96 and closing in on Saddiq Bey’s franchise record of 211 established just three seasons ago.
Both teams will look to build on this game with different objectives ahead. The Pistons will prepare to face the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers at home, hoping to reset their strategy and rebound from this close loss. Meanwhile, the Hawks will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, aiming to continue their momentum and capitalize on this newfound confidence following their win over the Pistons.
It’s clear support for both teams is strong, and as the season progresses, both the Hawks and Pistons will need to leverage their key players and maintain consistency if they aim for playoff contention.