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“Every Game Like It’s a Playoff Game”: Trae Young Has Massive Expectations for Hawks’ Regular Season Having Been Through Play-Ins for Two Consecutive Seasons

Published 10/17/2023, 11:49 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

At just 25 years old, Trae Young has become one of the best point guards in the NBA. He is the pillar of the Atlanta Hawks franchise and the primary scorer on his team. Although Young is not as efficient from the three-point line as superstars Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, he has the shooting range to match the two legends. Despite becoming a superstar at such a young age, Trae has struggled to find success in the playoffs. Apart from one surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, the Atlanta Hawks guard has been unable to get his team past the first round.

Trae Young revealed the Atlanta Hawks’ massive expectations this year ahead of starting the NBA regular season.

Trae Young’s massive season expectations

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After not making the playoffs for three straight years, the Atlanta Hawks shocked the world in 2021 with their impressive run to the Conference Finals. Trae Young became a superstar in that magical run, averaging 28.8 points and 9.5 assists throughout those playoffs. But Trae Young and Co. were unable to continue that momentum to the following two seasons. The Hawks barely made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, going through play-in games for two consecutive seasons. They bagged the 8th seed in 2022 and the 7th seed in 2023 and got eliminated in the first round both years.

 

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After a disappointing couple of seasons, Trae Young has massive expectations for the Hawks this year. “It’s all about taking this season, every game like it’s a playoff game.” The 2-time All-star said. Trae believes that barely making it to the playoffs and getting a higher seed are two different things. And the Atlanta Hawks’ goal this season will be to avoid the play-ins and secure a higher seed so that they can reduce the fatigue come playoff time.

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Can the Atlanta Hawks reach their goal?

Trae Young is correct about getting more success as a higher seed. When he led the Hawks to the Conference Finals, Atlanta was the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. That matched the Hawks with easier competition, and they made a great run. The Atlanta Hawks have the ability to bag a higher seed in the playoffs this season. The Hawks re-signed All-Star Dejounte Murray to a massive 4-year $120 million deal this summer.

Read More: Trae Young Discusses Picking “Best Point Guard Ever” Stephen Curry’s Brain Two Months After Going Viral in Insane Workout Video

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While most analysts are underestimating the potential of the Hawks, the duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray can become a lethal combination this season. They are both All-Star caliber players, and now that they have spent a season getting familiar with each other, they can take the next step and make a decent run in the playoffs. Do you believe the Atlanta Hawks will achieve their goal this season?

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Written by:

Rohan Bhaunt

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Rohan is an NBA Content Writer at EssentiallySports. He is a state-level basketball player and has been a fan of the NBA for over a decade. This allows him to deep dive into the sport and provide a fresh outlook.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe