Trae Young, Hawks Have Found Something That Works, As Evidenced Yet Again In Win Over Bucks

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks are starting to turn heads, and Wednesday night’s 119-104 road victory over the Milwaukee Bucks might be their most impressive win of the season.

The Hawks not only snapped Milwaukee’s seven-game winning streak, but they did it with authority, dominating the game on both ends of the floor and reminding everyone that their ceiling is higher than many thought.

Let’s talk about Young, the Hawks’ floor general and offensive engine. His stat line — 17 points, seven assists — might not jump off the page, but don’t be fooled. Young controlled the pace of the game, orchestrating a Hawks offense that put Milwaukee’s defense in knots.

He was decisive in transition, methodical in the half court, and unselfish, ensuring everyone ate. That’s what franchise players do: elevate everyone around them.

And boy, did his teammates step up. Jalen Johnson stole the spotlight with 23 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing why he’s quickly becoming one of the league’s best young forwards. He bullied the Bucks in the paint and ran the floor like a gazelle, capitalizing on Trae’s ability to draw defenders. De’Andre Hunter added 20 points, continuing his quiet-but-crucial role as a two-way stabilizer.

What’s setting this Hawks team apart right now, though, is depth. Atlanta’s bench outscored Milwaukee’s reserves 50-31, with contributions from Bogdan Bogdanovic (15 points), Onyeka Okongwu (13 points), and rookie Zaccharie Risacher (12 points). When the second unit is this productive, the Hawks are tough to beat.

But it wasn’t just offense. Atlanta brought the hustle, winning the rebounding battle 55-40 and owning the paint with a 64-34 advantage. Clint Capela was a monster on the glass, hauling in 17 boards, while the Hawks ran circles around the Bucks in transition with a 30-12 edge in fast-break points.

The Atlanta Hawks look really good right now and Trae Young has suddenly become a magnificent facilitator, a la Steve Nash. Quin Snyder has tinkered to the point where he’s now found something that works there.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) December 5, 2024

Milwaukee had its moments, jumping out to an early 10-point lead and getting 30 points and 10 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo. But the Hawks didn’t blink. They closed the first quarter on a 23-10 run, flipped the momentum, and never looked back.

This win moves Atlanta to 12-11, and if this five-game streak is any indication, Quin Snyder has found the formula to maximize this group. The Hawks are playing fast, sharing the ball, and locking in defensively when it matters.

For Trae Young, it’s a reminder of the kind of leader he can be when he lets the game come to him. He doesn’t need to score 30 every night to dominate — his fingerprints were all over this win without forcing the issue.

Up next, the Hawks host LeBron James and the Lakers in what could be another statement game. With Young steering the ship and his supporting cast firing on all cylinders, Atlanta has become a team you don’t really want to face.

More Hawks | All coverage from Hoops Wire