In a nail-biting finish, Trae Young netted two crucial free throws with just 21 seconds to play, steering the Atlanta Hawks to a hard-fought 111-107 victory against the Orlando Magic. Young's performance included 25 points and six assists as he helped his team recover from a daunting 14-point deficit.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker supported the effort with 19 points, while Onyeka Okongwu added 17. Contributions from Mouhamed Gueye with 13 points and Jalen Johnson's 12 points proved vital during a thrilling fourth-quarter rally. Despite struggling from long range at 27.6%, the Hawks displayed remarkable resilience in the final frame.
The Magic, initially dominant, was spearheaded by Franz Wagner's impressive 27-point outing, alongside 15 points each from Tristan da Silva and Desmond Bane. Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero contributed 11 points each, with Wendell Carter Jr. also adding 10. Orlando set the tone early, jumping to a 51-37 halftime lead following Bane's swift three-pointer in the second quarter.
Down by 10 at halftime, Atlanta responded with a strong 7-0 run powered by Gueye’s three-pointer and Young’s layup, narrowing it to 82-78. The Magic answered, maintaining an eight-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
Orlando pushed their lead to 12 early in the fourth, but the Hawks unleashed a 12-0 run, including rookie Asa Newell's three-pointer and a dunk that tied the game at 93 and prompted a Magic timeout. Continuing their momentum, Atlanta executed a remarkable 15-0 run, with Young hitting a three to give them the lead for the first time since the second quarter.
Okongwu then added a personal 5-0 spurt, extending Atlanta’s lead to 103-98 with 3:20 remaining. Even though Orlando tied the game at 105 with free throws and a dunk from Banchero, Young's clutch floater with 46 seconds left, followed by Suggs’ layup, paved the way for his final free throws, culminating in a 111-107 victory.
This win highlights the Hawks' grit and teamwork, as they overcame a significant deficit through key plays from Young, Okongwu, and Alexander-Walker. While Orlando fought fiercely, they could not counter Atlanta's explosive late-game execution, showcasing Young's pivotal role as a leader.
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