NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 9: Trae Young’s 36 Points Helped the Hawks Defeat Undermanned Phoenix Suns

Young had his 18th 30-point performance this season.

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY

With Devin Booker and newly-acquired Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant still injured, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young had a masterful night with 36 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. 

Young became the second-youngest player to reach 60 games with 30 points and 10 assists.

The Atlanta Hawks are 28-28 but hope to improve the rest of the season. Hopefully the team can stay healthy and play better with the addition of former Pistons forward Saddiq Bey.

“We’ve done it before,” Young said. “That’s pretty much it. I’ve got belief in myself and my teammates, and hopefully we can do it again.”

OTHERS

- Aaron Gordon’s season-high 37 points and 14 rebounds were not enough for the Nuggets to defeat the Orlando Magic in the absence of Jamal Murray.

- Spencer Dinwiddie returned to Brooklyn with 25 points, four steals and six assists in the Nets’ cruising victory over the Chicago Bulls.

- Despite the loss, Zach Lavine had 38 points against the Nets for his 11th 30-point performance this season. The Lavine trade rumors being laid to rest allows Chicago to focus the rest of the season.

- Giannis Antetokounmpo had another monster performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, ending the night with 38 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Bucks’ late push to take victory.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.