Trae Young snaps the Kings’ streak

The Kings were known to be in danger in Atlanta, and in front of their home crowd, the Falcons ended Mike Brown’s seven-game winning streak.

Back-to-back, the Kings had heavy legs and couldn’t keep up with the Hawks, who, like De’Aaron Fox, decided to bet everything on the fast game. Atlanta caught a break in the second quarter, especially after the assets of Jalen Johnson and AJ Griffin. At halftime, the Sacramento defense has already given up 72 points, while the Hawks lead by 15 points.

Back from the locker room, Trae Young is focused on keeping the Kings’ comeback attempts at bay with 10 points in the quarter alone, including a rare 5-pointer.

On his side, Clint Capela is responsible for starting the fast game and we even see him finishing on the other side of the field. In the 4th quarter, with the same scenario as always, the Kings try to close the gap. Each time they are punished by Trae Young and his super long 3-pointers. The first, with four minutes to go, leads by 13 points. The second one in the last minute ensures the victory (115-106).

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– 5 point action. Early in the 3rd quarter, Trae Young made the lead from +12 to +17 with one move! There is a 3-pointer on the right side at the start and the referee whistles for Fox’s touchdown. It’s heavy, but it already gives an And-1. But Fox groans and gets a technique. That Young One is responsible for the transformation for And-2.

– The return of Kevin Huerter. Against Justin Holiday, Maurice Harkless and a future first-round draft pick, Kevin Huerter, who was traded to Sacramento this summer, returned to Atlanta for the first time. The shooter was not the most worthy player with 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.

– Attack game. Sacramento, the NBA’s most prolific offense at nearly 121 points per game, scored just 106 points tonight. That’s his season low. Conversely, the Falcons are on a streak of 100 points or more: 39 straight games, the longest current streak in the NBA.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Trae Young. It’s in this type of matchup that we see just how valuable Dejounte Murray is to Trae Young. The Hawks shooter can focus on scoring and “range” and remains a constant threat even at 8-9 yards. In the 4th quarter, he punishes the Kings from too far or serves Murray in the corner, and Sacramento did not find a parade.

✅ Clint Capela. He is a stabilizer for the Swiss Falcons. He never gestures too much, and he’s always alert to fill a breach or protect the circle. Sabonis didn’t carry the weight he usually does offensively, and that’s a sign.

✅ Malik Rahib. Best of the Kings tonight with insane efficiency so far: 12 of 18 shooting in 26 minutes. He’s the only one who brings a spark, and like Lou Williams or Jordan Clarkson, he can be unstoppable. The real concern is that he is one-dimensional and defense is not his forte. But it was clear that his legs were not heavy.

⛔ Keegan Murray. With his scoring average halved from October, the Kings rookie isn’t at his best in November. He didn’t score a single goal tonight, a first for him this season.

NEXT

Atlanta (11-7) : Travel to Houston on Friday.

Sacramento (10-7) : New big piece with a trip to Boston on Friday.