Eight games were on tap in the Association’s post-Christmas slate, and all eight featured standout performances. The most notables are as follows:
Hawks Rally Past Bulls as Trae Young Makes History
Trae Young scattered 27 points and 13 dimes to Hep the Atlanta Hawks rally from 17 down in the fourth quarter to stun the Chicago Bulls, 141-133, at State Farm Arena.
Young added 2 rebounds and 2 steals for the Hawks (16-15), who unleashed 18 unanswered after being down 124-107 at the midway part of the final canto. With his 27-point, 13-assist masterpiece, Young is now the second fastest to reach 11,000 points and 4,000 assists behind only LeBron James.
Jalen Johnson led Atlanta with 30 points and 15 boards, while De’Andre Hunter chipped in 25 markers off the bench. Zach Lavine’s game-high 37 points spearheaded the Bulls’ (13-18) attack. He also had rebounds and 7 assists. Jevon Carter added 26 points off the bench, while Coby White finished with 23.
(Up next: Hawks vs. Miami Heat, Bulls vs. Milwaukee Bucks on December 29)
Grizzlies Dominate Bucks Raptors Behind Zach Edey’s Big Night
The Memphis Grizzlies used a strong start and an even stronger finish to waylay the Toronto Raptors, 155-126, at FedEx Forum.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey paced the Grizzlies (21-10) with 21 apiece. Jackson added 11 rebounds and 6 assists, while Edey had 16 boards and 2 blocks. The first-year big also only played just 27 minutes, making him just the second rookie to post at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes or less. Arvydas Sabonis is the only other rookie to accomplish said feat.
Six other Grizzlies scored at least 10 points in a show of undeniable depth. RJ Barrett’s near triple-double of 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists paced the Raptors (7-24), who also got 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists from Scottie Barnes.
(Up next: Grizzles vs. New Orleans Pelicans on December 28, Raptors vs. Hawks on December 30)
Thunder Top Pacer Behind Career High-Tying Night from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his career-high of 45 points to help the Oklahoma City Thunder top the red-hot Indiana Pacers, 120-114, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Gilgeous-Alexander also had 7 rebounds and 8 assists while going 15-for-22 from the field and 11-for-11 from the line. Jalen Williams added 20 points and 5 dimes for the Thunder (24-5), who were still down 107-103 past the midway point of the fourth before taking over with an 8-0 blast.
Andrew Nembhard tallied 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Pacers (15-16), who nearly upset the Thunder even with Tyrese Haliburton only scoring 4 points in an off-night. Pascal Siakam added 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Myles Turner had 12 points, 11 boards, and 5 blocks.
(Up next: Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets on December 29, Pacers vs. Boston Celtics on December 28)
