ATLANTA — After a preseason filled with hope and excitement surrounding Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks were defeated by the Toronto Raptors 138-118 in their season opener on Wednesday night.
After his team outscored 86-56 in the paint, outscored 34-11 on the fast break and led by 20 rebounds, Young didn't mince words about the Hawks' season-opening performance at home.
“I don't think there's a lot of positives that can come out of tonight,” Young said. “It was awkward the way we started. A lot of that came from preseason and obviously it carried over, where we didn't play all five of our guys. You could tell by the continuity we had there that it wasn't right.
“But the cream always rises to the top. We have some time to make amends and start moving forward.”
Editor's Picks
2 related
Young had 22 points and 5 assists, but made 6 of 7 three-pointers. Jaren Johnson was the highlight of the Hawks' offense with 22 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in his first game since undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in early February.
Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in his Hawks debut. But reigning Most Improved Player Dyson Daniels got into foul trouble early and finished with four points, while new Eagle Nickell Alexander-Walker shot just 2 points on 15 shots and finished with 10 points.
The Hawks are a team that many believe will improve greatly and have a chance to become the top team in the East. Head coach Quin Snyder said the Eagles have a lot to clean up, especially getting their defense back on track.
“The rotation has to be better,” Johnson said. “We don't have to overthink it. We just have to be better than we were tonight. It's that simple.”
Meanwhile, the Raptors set a franchise scoring record on opening night and surpassed last season's high.
Toronto's RJ Barrett and Scotty Barnes each took 9 shots and scored a combined 47 points. The Raptors shot 56.8% from the field.
The Eagles got off to a rough start to the regular season, playing nine of their first 14 games on the road. The first road test will take place Friday in Orlando before Atlanta hosts the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.
“I have to figure out how we need to come together,” Young said of the Eagles’ new production. “They like the ball on offense and stuff like that. So, we need time to gel. But obviously we want results right away. I mean, that's the kind of league you've been doing for me lately as well.
“So, we have to get it right and our team will get it right, trust me.”