The Atlanta Hawks were off on Monday, but the NBA action rolled on. During the Boston Celtics’ matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Monday, Jayson Tatum came down on Domatas Sabonis’ foot.
Tatum had to be helped to the locker room while Sabonis received a Flagrant 1 foul. After the injury, Hawks star Trae Young sent a message of support for his fellow star.
[Praying emojis] [for] my brother,” Young posted on X on March 24.
Sabonis was remorseful over the incident and apologized, noting he would never intentionally injure another player and that he has been battling ailments himself.
Tatum was in good spirits and without any noticeable additional support for the ankle postgame.
Trae Young reacts accordingly to latest snub as Hawks push for postseason
The Atlanta Hawks are 7-3 in their last 10 games and looking to continue that momentum into the postseason.
As such, Hawks star Trae Young is not necessarily overlooking his latest snub, but he has certainly put it into proper perspective. Fittingly, his assertion flies in the face of the popular (and erroneous) narrative that he is a stats-first – rather than team-oriented – player.
Young was passed over for Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
“I’m not trippin,” Young said on X on March 24 in response to someone pointing out the Hawks’ record and his stats. “Your first fact is all that matters to me. WeMove.”
Young averaged 28 points and 10 assists while shooting 57% from the floor, 53% from beyond the arc, and 91% at the free throw line. The Hawks were 3-0 in those games. He lost to Chicago Bulls guard Coby White.
White posted a 30.3/4.0/3.3 line, slashing .556/.394/.848 while helping the Bulls to a 3-1 record.
Young is, unfortunately, familiar with being overlooked, having been passed over for All-Star selections in years he deserved it and even before he entered the NBA.
This is no different, nor is his mindset. However, Young’s play has matched those sentiments this season more than any before. The most encouraging part for Young and the Hawks is that this is the start for a roster that is built around young talent.
The Hawks have 11 games left and have long had their sights set on reaching the postseason.
They return to action on Tuesday to face the Houston Rockets. The Rockets are the No. 2 team in the West, and the Hawks have struggled against the other conference all season.
The Rockets enter the contest having had their winning streak snapped at nine games.
