Hawks Edge Hornets 123-110 Behind Young’s Free Throw Perfection

ATLANTA, GA — Trae Young hit all 21 of his free throw attempts and finished with 35 points, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 123-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena. This win marks the Hawks’ fourth consecutive victory, solidifying their playoff ambitions in the Eastern Conference.

Despite a challenging shooting night, where Young converted just 7 of 20 from the field, his perfect performance from the free throw line played a crucial role in the win. He also contributed 12 assists, helping to orchestrate Atlanta’s offense on a night where shooting challenges plagued both teams.

The Hawks, currently contending for a better playoff position, are now in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, five games behind the idle sixth-place Detroit Pistons. Meanwhile, the Hornets, languishing at the bottom of the standings, struggled to capitalize on their recent two-game winning streak.

“We faced some tough challenges tonight, but we executed when it mattered,” Young said after the game. “Our bench stepped up big, and we needed that energy throughout the game.”

In addition to Young’s standout performance, Atlanta’s bench outscored Charlotte’s reserves 57-18, a significant factor in the outcome. Zacharie Risacher and Onyeka Okongwu added depth with valuable contributions, scoring 15 and 13 points respectively.

For the Hornets, LaMelo Ball led the scoring with 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Josh Green chipped in 25 points and 9 assists. Both players attempted to rally the team, but their effort fell short against a determined Hawks defense.

Key moments in the game included a pivotal layup from Young just before halftime, pushing the Hawks ahead 52-49, leading to a 13-0 run. This stretch showcased Atlanta’s offensive firepower, highlighted by successful jumpers and three-pointers from key players.

The statistic that stood out during the match was the Hawks’ ability to capitalize on free throws, converting a league-leading 21 attempts without a miss. Conversely, the Hornets struggled with their offensive rhythm, particularly from long range, as they finished the game with a 38.9% shooting percentage.

Looking ahead, the Hornets will face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, while the Hawks will host the Los Angeles Clippers. Both teams are navigating injuries, but the Hawks appear to be finding their footing as the playoff picture begins to take shape.

“Every win counts from here on out,” Hawks coach Nick Nurse noted. “We need to stay focused and keep building on this momentum.”