Trae Young scored 48 points including some key final quarter buckets as the Atlanta Hawks shocked the Milwaukee Bucks 116-113 in Game 1 of their Conference finals series.
The 22-year-old Atlanta Hawks guard had seven rebounds and 11 assists along with his 48-point haul, with his side claiming their third Game 1 win this post-season.
Young received great support from John Collins with 23 points and 15 rebounds, along with Clint Capela who had 12 points and 19 rebounds.
The Hawks made their move with a 34-26 third-quarter run, to hit the lead at the final change.
Giannis Antetokounmpo fought hard for the Bucks, with 34 points, nine assists and 12 rebounds, but arguably didn’t make good decisions at key times.
Khris Middleton dropped away with only 15 points, while Jrue Holiday was strong with 33 points and 10 assists.
The Bucks could have won it, leading by five points with 3:30 to play, but spurned late chances, including a crucial Pat Connaughton air ball.
The win continues the Hawks’ surprising run and offers hope they can reach the NBA Finals, having been the east’s fifth seeds and knocked out the New York Knicks and top seed Philadelphia 76ers.
“I’ve been getting asked that a lot at the beginning of the season and I told everybody then, ‘I didn’t believe we had any ceiling, we can go as far as we want to’,” Young said when asked if there’s a ceiling for Atlanta.
“I don’t think there is a ceiling unless you put the finals on it. I believe in this team and we all believe in each other.”
