The Atlanta Hawks traveled to Milwaukee and handled their business in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. They earned a 116-113 victory over the Bucks.
Atlanta has officially (for now) stolen home court from the Bucks. This young Hawks team feels that they can beat anybody; with each series victory during this Playoff run their confidence has grown.
Trae Young was absolutely playing no games with the Milwaukee Bucks. Something clicked for him throughout the game. He figured out very quickly that he could get anywhere on the court he wanted at any time. His shots were just falling and he made some impressive ones, scoring 48 points on 17-of-34 shooting from the field. He went 4-of-13 from the three-point line and also grabbed seven rebounds and dished out 11 assists.
Young made some spectacular plays both scoring the basketball and some incredible assists. Two plays that stick out the most were when he crossed Jrue Holiday over, paused, shimmied, and then knocked down the three. Another play was an assist he threw off the backboard for a two-handed dunk by John Collins. The fact that he pulled this off during a Playoff game is pretty nuts. Young spoke on his performance and his team’s confidence postgame.
“Ever since I was in middle school when I was going on the road in middle school, I always loved playing on the road,” said Young, who was two points off his career-high. “I loved playing against an opposing crowd, an opposing team. It feels like you’re really with your team, and it’s just them in the building. I think that really brings our group together.”
Other Hawks players stepped up big to lift the Hawks to a Game 1 victory.
John Collins scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. Kevin Huerter scored 13 points. Clint Capela scored 12 points and grabbed 19 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari scored 9 points off of the bench.
Game 2 is on Friday, 6/25 in Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum. Tip-off is at 8:30 pm and the game airs on TNT.
