Young’s 33 points, 11 assists lead Hawks past Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY(AP) — Trae Young felt right at home in Oklahoma City against theThunder.

Thehigh-scoring Atlanta Hawks guard grew up in nearby Norman,Oklahoma, and played his one season of college ball at theUniversity of Oklahoma. Thunder fans cheered when Young wasintroduced with Atlanta’s starters, and he gave them a show.

Young had 33points and 11 assists, helping the Hawks beat the Thunder 137-132on Wednesday night.

Young grew upwatching the Thunder during their glory days with Kevin Durant andRussell Westbrook. It wasn’t his first time playing in OklahomaCity, but it was still surreal.

“It’s alwaysfun,” he said. “I mean, I always get a lot of love and support outhere and it’s always great coming back here and playing in front ofthese fans. I grew up obviously, going to a lot of these Thundergames, and so to be on that court is crazy.”

He dissectedthe Thunder defense by making 10 of 20 field goals and 10 of 11free throws.

“I had a lotof respect for the way he played tonight,” Thunder coach MarkDaigneault said. “I thought he really controlled the game,especially early, and it really loosened us up defensively. And youknow, that obviously was the game for us.”

DejounteMurray scored 21 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20 for theHawks, who shot a season-high 59.5% from the field to snap atwo-game losing streak.

“To guard ateam, that’s that dynamic, we had to be a lot tighter than we weretonight,” Daigneault said. “And it was just kind of — it was deathby paper cut. It was kind of everything. It was transition, it wasfouling. It was a little bit of the glass. And then, you know, justa lack of discipline.”

ShaiGilgeous-Alexander scored 36 points and Jalen Williams added 24 forthe Thunder.

Oklahoma Cityalmost got away with their poor defensive effort. Williams stolethe ball from Young and dunked to cut Atlanta’s lead to 133-132with 15.3 seconds left. Atlanta’s John Collins was fouled with 14.5seconds remaining. He made both free throws to make it 135-132.

Gilgeous-Alexander drove to the hoop to try to get quick points,but Murray blocked his shot. Gilgeous-Alexander rebounded andmissed again, and Murray came up with the ball. Murray was fouledand made two free throws at the other end with 2.7 secondsremaining to put the game out of reach.

“I think welet one slip tonight for sure,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Offensewas good enough, we just didn’t bring it defensively. They made uspay.”

The teamswere tied at 77 at halftime. It was the most points the Hawks havescored in a half this season. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 pointsand Young had 22 before the break. Atlanta shot 58.3% from thefield in the first half, while Oklahoma City shot 56.9%.

Atlanta led109-104 at the end of the third quarter, then scored the first 10points of the fourth. Oklahoma City responded with a 9-0 run totrim its deficit to six and force Atlanta to call a timeout. Thegame was close the rest of the way.

TIP-INS

Hawks: FDe’Andre Hunter sat out with asthma symptoms. ... Murray was calledfor a technical foul in the second quarter. ... Young was calledfor a technical in the third. ... Collins had 19 points and 10rebounds. ... Capela had 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Thunder: GTre Mann stole an inbounds pass, elevated, cocked the ball backandunleashed a toweringright-handed jamin the final minute of the first quarter.... G Josh Giddey had 16 points, eight rebounds and sixassists.