Hawks Defeat Lakers 129-121. Trae Young Scores 36 Points

Recap

The term is 'scheduled loss.' During the course of an 82-game season, certain games are designed in such a way that one of the teams has no chance of winning. That's what today was supposed to be for the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was a painfully early east coast game and the final stop on a seven-game road trip. Even LeBron James beat the traffic by going back home early to get treatment for a knee injury that has caused him to miss three straight games.

None of that can take away from what the Atlanta Hawks accomplished today. Originally, Trae Young was a game-time decision. Not only did he play, but he scored 36 points and dropped 12 assists.

FROM DEEP 🥶🥶🥶 pic.twitter.com/BlWa4v590s
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

The Hawks post players did a tremendous job. John Collins and Onyeka Okongwu combined for 36 points on 81% shooting. Okongwu scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, where he stayed on the court for the entire fourth quarter. Let us not forget that Clint Capela went for 15 points and 9 rebounds.

It's no surprise that the Hawks outrebounded the Lakers 45-38 and outscored the veteran team in the paint 62-50. The dominant interior play helped keep the Hawks in the game whenever the Lakers would open up a double-digit lead throughout different parts of the game. The Hawks took the fourth quarter 38-20 to win 129-121.

4TH QUARTER OKONGWU >>> pic.twitter.com/InkANfD9CA
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

Malik Monk led the Lakers with 33 points and 10 rebounds. Not only did Monk enjoy a career game, but Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook combined for an efficient 47 points. This is the type of game the Hawks would have lost pre-MLK Day. Now they are winning these games, and the rest of the league is taking note.

Post-Game Interviews

Hawks head coach Nate McMillan praised his team's second-half effort. "I thought we settled down. I thought the hype of the game, playing the Lakers, in that first half we were just really playing emotionally drunk out there. We was just so in attack mode, that we weren't seeing clearly what we needed to do."

How we feelin' Hawks Twitter?? pic.twitter.com/GG30Or7xKG
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 30, 2022

Trae Young sat down at the podium with an Adidas hoodie that featured the 90s cartoon characters Beavis & Butthead. When asked if the team was 'emotionally drunk,' Young said, "We can agree to disagree. We do that a lot. That's good, if everyone agreed, you wouldn't need one of the people. I think sometimes we disagree, and I disagree with that."

Young continued, "My emotions with certain people start with other people most of the time. So when Tony Brothers mentions to me how many years he's ref'd this league, I don't give a damn. That just gets me fired up. I don't think I'm 'emotionally drunk,' I'm just competitive."

The Hawks are back at it against the Toronto Raptors in State Farm Arena. As always, we have you covered for content all day. Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's AllHawks.com for breaking news, highlights, and analysis.

Photos

Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) passes the ball defended by Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (12) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) controls the ball against Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15) during the first half at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) passes the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Stanley Johnson (14) during the first half at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan follows the action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) shoots behind Los Angeles Lakers guard Avery Bradley (20) and forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena.

Stats

Hawks Leaders

Trae Young - 36 PTS, 12 AST

John Collins - 20 PTS, 11 REB

Onyeka Okongwu - 16 PTS, 5 REB

Lakers Leaders

Malik Monk - 33 PTS, 10 REB

Anthony Davis - 27 PTS, 5 REB

Russell Westbrook - 20 PTS, 12 AST

Recommended For You

Interstate 35: Trae Young's Trainer Describes Formative Years

Interview: Nick Van Exel at 50

Waffles, Snakes, Secret Doors: Kobe's Last Game Against Hawks