Snyder Commends Trae Young's Career-High 22 Assists In Hawks' Victory Over Cavaliers

Atlanta Hawks coach Quin Snyder praised Trae Young for his outstanding performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Young achieved a career-high 22 assists, the most by any player in a single NBA game this season, and scored 20 points as the Hawks defeated Cleveland 135-124 on Wednesday. The Hawks, led by Young, overcame an early 19-point deficit to hand the Cavs just their second loss of the season.

Young's impressive display included a crucial 39-foot 3-pointer in the final minutes, helping Atlanta break a three-game losing streak. "He threw himself into the game," Snyder said about Young. "The biggest thing is he just moved the ball, and he forced guys to run. He gave guys opportunities in the open court, and he trusted his teammates."

Snyder appreciated how Young maintained composure despite being down. "I really liked the way we and he reacted to being down. Just keeping his poise, that's always been a point of emphasis with Trae," Snyder added. Young's ability to lead and distribute effectively was key to their comeback victory.

Currently leading the NBA with 225 assists this season, Young has outpaced all other players by 52 assists, averaging 12.5 per game. His performance wasn't flawless; a turnover allowed the Cavs to close within four points in the fourth quarter. However, he redeemed himself with a long-range shot.

"I couldn't let my team down twice in a row, so I had to make the play," Young stated after his decisive shot. Reflecting on that moment, he mentioned having enough time to execute successfully: "I think when I got the ball back I still had 10 seconds left, so I had a little time to make a play and that's what happened."

The Hawks' victory over Cleveland highlighted Young's leadership and skill on the court. His ability to bounce back from mistakes and contribute significantly underscores his value to Atlanta's success this season.