Former Oklahoma Sooners point guard, Trae Young, is enjoying what should be an All-NBA season as the Atlanta Hawks go into the NBA Play-In tournament against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets.
The 9-seed Hawks had a rough start to their season but rebounded in the second half to earn home court in the first leg of the play-in. If they beat Charlotte, they’ll go on the road to play the loser of the Brooklyn-Cleveland game. If they win that, they will be the 8-seed and have a date with the 1-seed Miami Heat.
Young has led an electric Atlanta offense with 28.4 points per game and 9.7 assists per game. During his one season at OU, Young averaged 27.4 points per game and 8.7 assists per game.
It should be noted that Trae Young’s max extension will begin next season and the sharpshooter will be under contract through the 2026-2027 season. Atlanta will need to be in a better position to win than the play-in tournament if they want to win rings with Young in the future.
I like the Hawks’ chances of getting out of at least the first leg of this play-in. Atlanta went 27-14 at home this year and I think their offense will be too much for a middle of the road team like Charlotte.
As for how they’ll fare in the second leg and beyond, it depends.
I’m not sure what to make of Cleveland. They’re a young team and they will have home court advantage if they meet Atlanta in the second leg of the play in.
Assuming they beat the Cavs, I don’t like their chances of beating Miami. Miami is just too good and too deep.
It’s not impossible for the Hawks to make a run. They’ve been the lower seed before and they’ve succeeded. As the 5 seed, the Hawks beat the 4-seed Knicks in five games and then the 1-seed Sixers in seven games.
The Hawks and Hornets will tip-off at 6 P.M. CST on ESPN on Wednesday.
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