CLEVELAND — Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young was more than a helper for his team Wednesday night.
The NBA’s current assists leader handed the Cleveland Cavaliers a rare loss.
Young notched a career-high 22 assists — the most in the league this season — as the Hawks pulled off a 135-124 upset of the Cavs, who dropped to 17-2 and lost for the first time in 11 home games this season. Atlanta improved to 8-11.
One of the game’s deepest shooters, Young also made a 39-foot 3-pointer in the final two minutes as the Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak and got their second major road win, having also knocked off the host Boston Celtics — the reigning NBA champions — on Nov. 12.
Young’s assist total was one better than the 21 recorded by New Orleans Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton earlier this week against the Indiana Pacers. It was also just one shy of the Hawks’ team record held by Mookie Blaylock, who got 23 assists against the Utah Jazz on March 6, 1993.
“He threw himself into the game,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said of Young, who entered averaging 11.9 assists. “The biggest thing is he just moved the ball, and he forced guys to run. He gave guys opportunities in the open court, and he trusted his teammates.”
Young picked up eight assists in the fourth quarter as the Hawks outplayed the Cavs down the stretch.
He fed teammate De’Andre Hunter for two baskets and Dyson Daniels for another, then made two free throws to put the Hawks up 126-118. Moments later, Young lost possession, and Ty Jerome’s 3-pointer pulled the Cavs within 126-122.
Young nearly gave it away again, but after corralling the loose ball, he drilled his own 3 from just inside the half-court logo to put Atlanta ahead by seven.
“I couldn’t let my team down twice in a row, so I had to make the play,” Young said. “I think when I got the ball back, I still had 10 seconds left, so I had a little time to make a play, and that’s what happened.”
The bucket silenced Cleveland’s rocking crowd.
And if they needed any reminder, Young reminded them to be quiet by pressing his index finger to his mouth.
The Hawks have grown accustomed to the 26-year-old Young, a seventh-year-pro, coming through in the clutch. The three-time NBA All-Star has a knack for big moments, and while his ability to launch 3-pointers is often the focus, his passing game is sometimes overlooked.
“For the smallest guy on the floor, he sees it really well,” said Hunter, who finished with 26 points. “He makes on-time passes, usually where guys can shoot it, and we made a lot of shots tonight.”
Snyder said Young’s leadership late in the game was as vital as anything.
“I really liked the way we and he reacted to being down,” Snyder said. “Just keeping his poise, that’s always been a point of emphasis with Trae.”
After the game, Young came into the media room cradling a basketball as if he was protecting it on a drive. As he wrapped up his time with reporters, Young was asked if he knew he had just set a career best in assists.
“I didn’t until just now,” he said. “Thank you.”