Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to a 105-94 Game 3 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night at State Farm Arena to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Young notched a team-high 21 points and 14 assists in 37 minutes. He also had just two turnovers in the win. After the game, Hawks head coach Nate McMillan praised Young for his growth throughout the playoffs.
“He’s showing some growth in his play and managing and understanding what he needs to do out on the floor,” McMillan said, according to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez. “He’s keeping all of those guys involved while continuing to stay aggressive. And he’s making good reads. And we’ve talked a number of times — he has to cut down his turnovers. He’s too good of a passer to have five, six turnovers a game. Two is OK. But five, six is a big number for a guy who passes as well as he does.”
Young has put on a show in each of Atlanta’s first three games. He notched 32 points in his postseason debut and followed it up with another 30 points and seven assists in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks defense has yet to find an answer for Young, who’s scoring at will and using his speed to fluster them.
If the 22-year-old continues to tear up the Knicks, like he has all series, New York will be in trouble.
