Advertisement

Hawks' Trae Young burns Bucks for 48 points in Game 1 win

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young scored more than 10 points in each quarter of a playoff win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in Milwaukee. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young scored more than 10 points in each quarter of a playoff win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday in Milwaukee. Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA-EFE

June 24 (UPI) -- Trae Young scored a playoff career-high 48 points in his Eastern Conference Finals debut to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a clutch road win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the series in Milwaukee.

The Hawks guard made 17 of 34 shots from the field and 4 of 14 3-point attempts in the 116-114 victory Wednesday at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Young logged 11 assists and seven rebounds for the Hawks.

Advertisement

"Game 1 is a game where you can really surprise a team," Young told reporters. "I think with the way we've been playing coming out of the gate, you can tell we are really focused on our attention to detail."

Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points, with 12 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks. The game featured 13 lead changes and was tied seven times.

The score stayed tight throughout the first quarter, but the Bucks held a 28-25 lead at the end of the frame.

The Bucks outscored the Hawks 31-29 in the second quarter and led 59-54 at halftime. They pushed their advantage to seven points to start the third quarter, but the Hawks responded with a 7-0 run to tie the score at 65-65. The Hawks led 88-85 to start the final frame.

Advertisement

Antetokounmpo scored six-consecutive points midway through the final frame to help the Bucks take a 105-98 edge.

The Bucks held onto that lead until veteran big man Clint Capela made a putback layup with 29.8 seconds remaining to give the Hawks a 112-111 lead. Young made four consecutive free throws in the final seconds to clinch the victory.

Capela logged 12 points and 19 rebounds in the win. Hawks forward John Collins chipped in 23 points and 15 rebounds. Kevin Huerter scored 13 points for the Hawks.

Bucks guard Jrue holiday scored 33 points and totaled 10 assists. Khris Middleton scored 15 points in the loss.

"We just have to do a better job," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "It's frustrating that we lost the game. We just have to do a better job."

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is at 8:30 p.m. EDT Friday at Fiserv Forum.

Latest Headlines