Trae Young sets record with 22 assists while defeating Cavaliers

On Thursday night, in Cleveland, Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks achieved a career-high of 22 assists during a spectacular game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With this performance, Young not only led the Hawks to a significant victory by a score of 135-124 but also marked the highest number of assists recorded in the NBA for the current season. In this game, Trae Young also contributed 20 points, though his shooting was below average at 6 for 18. The Hawks ended their three-game losing streak, showcasing their ability to overcome challenges on the road after a prior victory in Boston. Cleveland had come into the game with a stellar record of 17 wins and 1 loss, having just lost its first home game of the season. Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers in scoring with 30 points, and teammate Evan Mobley added another 22 points along with 13 rebounds. The matchup was particularly important for Cleveland as they were trying to become the first team in NBA history to start a season with 18 wins. However, their dominance at home was challenged by the Hawks, who capitalized on the Cavaliers' mistakes and made crucial plays down the stretch. A pivotal moment came when Young, who had previously committed a turnover, recovered the ball and confidently sank a deep 39-foot three-pointer, extending the Hawks' lead to seven points with just over a minute left in the game. The Hawks’ impressive teamwork was underscored by contributions from De’Andre Hunter, who scored 26 points, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher, who made an unexpected impact by scoring 13 of his 17 points early in the second half. Their performance and strategic gameplay helped solidify the Hawks' win against a previously dominating Cavs team. Next, both teams are set to face off again in a special “Black Friday” NBA Cup game in Atlanta. The Hawks will be looking to continue their momentum while the Cavaliers, needing to bounce back, will have to regroup quickly to stay competitive in their pool play. This matchup has significant implications for both teams as they vie for a favorable position in the league standings.