ATLANTA (AP) — Even when producing the most first-half points of his career, Trae Young didn't carry the load alone for the Atlanta Hawks.Young's backcourt partner, Kevin Huerter, also enjoyed a memorable night.Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Saturday night.Huerter scored 12 points in the third quarter, helping Atlanta keep pace in a game with 14 lead changes.“We had a couple guys out again tonight and a couple guys just weren't shooting very well,” Huerter said. “I was just trying to stay aggressive. I knew I made a couple shots and was feeling pretty good. We ran a lot of sets for me.”Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games.The Hawks started strong offensively, scoring 43 points in the first quarter. Defensive problems have helped keep Atlanta... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored 30 of his 41 points in the first half, Kevin Huerter added a season-high 26 points and the Atlanta Hawks recovered after blowing a 22-point lead to beat the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Saturday night.Young and Huerter combined to make nine 3-point shots. The Hawks, who have the NBA's worst record, improved to only 4-12 in home games.Atlanta led by just two points before Young's drive and layup pushed the lead to 113-109. Young, defended by T.J. Warren, lost possession of his dribble out of bounds with 24.8 seconds remaining. A review confirmed the officials' call that possession belonged to the Hawks, but Vince Carter's air ball with the shot clock on the verge of expiring gave the Pacers another chance.Warren made only one of two free throws after he was fouled with 4.5 seconds remaining. Young made just the second of his two free throws for a 114-111 lead, but was fouled again and this time sank both attempts to clinch the win.Domantas Sabonis had 25 points... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks guard Trae Young sprained his right ankle Friday and will miss at least one game.Young had to be helped off the floor and was ruled out for the rest of the night late in the second quarter of a 112-86 loss to Milwaukee. He said after the game that he will not make the trip to Chicago for Saturday's game against the Bulls.“I rolled it pretty bad," Young said. “It hurts pretty bad right now, but that's to be expected. I'm getting treatment on it and iced it already."Young was dribbling when he went down in the lane. He wasn't able to put much weight on his right leg while Kevin Huerter and John Collins lifted his arms over their shoulders and escorted him to the sideline.From there, Vince Carter and a team trainer helped him into the locker room.Young began the game ranked fourth in the NBA with 29 points per game. He scored 12 points Friday.Young missed an Oct. 31 home loss to Miami with a right ankle sprain, but returned for the next game five nights later to score 29 points in a win over Sacramento.“It was bad the first time, but the pain was bad this time as well," Young said. “It hurt really bad, especially when it happened, but I don't really know a comparison."___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks guard Trae Young had to be helped off the floor and was ruled out for the rest of the game after spraining his right ankle late in the second quarter Friday night.Young was dribbling when he went down in the lane against Milwaukee. He wasn't able to put much weight on his right leg while Kevin Huerter and John Collins lifted his arms over their shoulders and escorted him to the sideline.From there, Vince Carter and a team trainer helped him into the locker room.Young began the game ranked fourth in the NBA with 29 points per game. He scored 12 against the Bucks.Atlanta trailed 63-40 at halftime.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks say guard Kevin Huerter will miss their upcoming road trip while he recovers from a shoulder injury.Huerter strained his left rotator cuff when fouled by Denver’s Nikola Jokic on Nov. 12. He was examined again by team doctors Monday night and has been cleared to begin limited on-court work.Rookie Cam Reddish and DeAndre’ Bembry have filled in for Huerter, who is averaging 9.3 points. Reddish recently missed two games with a sprained left wrist.The three-game road trip begins Wednesday night at Milwaukee.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks guard Kevin Huerter is expected to miss at least two weeks with a left rotator cuff strain.Huerter also was diagnosed with a shoulder capsule strain when examined Thursday in Atlanta.Huerter left the team’s West Coast trip after he was hurt in Tuesday night’s 125-121 victory at Denver.The Hawks say Huerter, who is averaging 9.3 points, will have rehabilitation and treatment before being examined again in two weeks.Huerter suffered the injury when fouled by Denver’s Nikola Jokic while going up for a shot. The second-year player immediately grabbed his shoulder and headed to the locker room.The Hawks were at Phoenix on Thursday night.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Hawks guard Kevin Huerter is returning to Atlanta after injuring his left shoulder in a victory over Denver.The team announced Wednesday that Huerter underwent an MRI in Denver after being hurt the previous night in a 125-121 victory over the Nuggets. Physicians in Atlanta will determine the extent of the injury.Huerter was ruled out of Thursday night’s game in Phoenix and seems unlikely to play on the rest of the West Coast road trip, which concludes with weekend games in Los Angeles against the Clippers and the Lakers.Huerter was fouled by Denver’s Nikola Jokic while going up for a shot. The second-year player immediately grabbed his shoulder and winced in pain before heading to the locker room.X-rays taken at the arena were negative.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Atlanta guard Kevin Huerter saw gimmick defenses throughout high school and college. Box-and-ones, triangle-and-twos and variations thereof, they weren't exactly uncommon for opponents to try.In the NBA, they're a rarity.And Huerter says the reason is simple."I honestly just think players are too good," he said.Coaches may agree. The Toronto Raptors famously and effectively slapped a box-and-one against Golden State's Stephen Curry late in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in last season's NBA Finals, though that was in a situation where the Warriors' other elite scorers from that team — Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson — were both out of the game at the time with injuries.So in that situation, the gimmick seemed apropos.But in most situations, coaches probably wouldn't dare go with one."That worked when there wasn't Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Gimmicks are gimmicks. You go into a game, especially with us or Golden State or any of about eight teams now in... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the 2020-21 contract options on three of the team's top young players — forward John Collins and guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter.The team exercised the fourth-year option on Collins and third-year options on Young and Huerter.Collins led the Hawks with his averages of 19.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. Young was an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection after averaging 19.1 points and 8.1 assists.Huerter was a second team all-rookie pick after scoring 9.6 points per game.Also Saturday, the Hawks signed forward Mark Ogden Jr. Later in the day, the team requested waivers on Ogden and Kenny Gabriel, who signed on Friday.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks have exercised the 2020-21 contract options on three of the team's top young players — forward John Collins and guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter.The team exercised the fourth-year option on Collins and third-year options on Young and Huerter.Collins led the Hawks with his averages of 19.5 points and 9.8 rebounds last season. Young was an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection after averaging 19.1 points and 8.1 assists.Huerter was a second team all-rookie pick after scoring 9.6 points per game.Also Saturday, the Hawks signed forward Mark Ogden Jr. The 6-foot-9 Ogden, from Grossmont College in California and Dixie State in Utah, played overseas the last three years.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

MIAMI (AP) — Add Miami's Tyler Herro to the list of rookies who look ready for the regular season.Herro scored Miami's first 14 points on Monday night, going 5 for 5 in that stretch, and finished with 23 points in a 120-87 Heat victory over the Atlanta Hawks.Through three games in this preseason, Herro — the No. 13 pick in this year's draft — is shooting 18 for 33 from the field for 49 points."The kid can play," Heat assistant coach Malik Allen said in a televised halftime interview. "He has a confidence but he's a student of the game, he's smart, he's an extremely quick learner and you're seeing that."Among those taken in June's draft, some have wasted no time in announcing their presence to the NBA world.New Orleans' Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick, is averaging 23.3 points and shooting 71% in the Pelicans' four preseason games — all wins. Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick for Memphis, is among the league's assist leaders in exhibition season with 23 in his first three games.No. 3 pick RJ Barrett... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Add Miami's Tyler Herro to the list of rookies who look ready for the regular season.Herro scored Miami's first 14 points on Monday night, going 5 for 5 in that stretch, and finished with 23 points in a 120-87 Heat victory over the Atlanta Hawks.Through three games in this preseason, Herro — the No. 13 pick in this year's draft — is shooting 18 for 33 from the field for 49 points."The kid can play," Heat assistant coach Malik Allen said in a televised halftime interview. "He has a confidence but he's a student of the game, he's smart, he's an extremely quick learner and you're seeing that."Among those taken in June's draft, some have wasted no time in announcing their presence to the NBA world.New Orleans' Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick, is averaging 23.3 points and shooting 71% in the Pelicans' four preseason games — all wins. Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick for Memphis, is among the league's assist leaders in exhibition season with 23 in his first three games.No. 3 pick RJ Barrett... [More]

MIAMI (AP) — Add Miami's Tyler Herro to the list of rookies who look ready for the regular season.Herro scored Miami's first 14 points on Monday night, going 5 for 5 in that stretch, and finished with 23 points in a 120-87 Heat victory over the Atlanta Hawks.Through three games in this preseason, Herro — the No. 13 pick in this year's draft — is shooting 18 for 33 from the field for 49 points."The kid can play," Heat assistant coach Malik Allen said in a televised halftime interview. "He has a confidence but he's a student of the game, he's smart, he's an extremely quick learner and you're seeing that."Among those taken in June's draft, some have wasted no time in announcing their presence to the NBA world.New Orleans' Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick, is averaging 23.3 points and shooting 71% in the Pelicans' four preseason games — all wins. Ja Morant, the No. 2 pick for Memphis, is among the league's assist leaders in exhibition season with 23 in his first three games.No. 3 pick RJ Barrett... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Vince Carter is on the cusp of a revered NBA career record, the most seasons ever played.He promises season No. 22 will be his last."I wouldn't let you guys say this is the last one if that wasn't the case," Carter said Monday at the Atlanta Hawks' media day. "I don't want to do that. Even if I change my mind now, for me I feel like it's too late, but no, this is it."When Carter checks into his first game — likely the Oct. 24 opener at Detroit — he will break a tie with Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki, all of whom played 21 years.Carter, who turns 43 in January, still can't quite comprehend what the record encompasses, but he's glad to have all of training camp and the preseason to sort out what's next."Stepping on the court to make it official is going to be kind of crazy," he said. "When you see that list and you see that cluster of guys and you see the next number is 22 and to see me passing guys like that — I've been asked that all summer... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — As the Atlanta Hawks head into the third year of a massive overhaul, there are definite signs of hope.They might even have a shot at the playoffs in the wide-open Eastern Conference.But, as the team prepares to open training camp with an intriguing core of young players, those in charge aren't in any hurry to rush the process."We haven't done anything," coach Lloyd Pierce said Friday. "I don't want any our guys thinking we've accomplished anything just yet."Indeed, the Hawks won just 29 games a season ago, so this is still very much a long-term project.But general manager Travis Schlenk has taken major strides in constructing a totally new roster, one that follows the blueprint laid out by his former employer, the three-time champion Golden State Warriors.Trae Young and John Collins have already established themselves as two of the NBA's brightest young prospects. Kevin Huerter made big strides during his rookie season. De'Andre Hunter, Cam Reddish and Bruno Fernando were... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been it's predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12... [More]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been its predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12 consecutive... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The NBA draft lottery didn't go their way.Still, the Atlanta Hawks are poised to take another big step forward in their massive rebuilding job.With a pair of picks in the top 10 — or perhaps a single selection that's higher than what they have now, should they work out a trade — the Hawks can add to a pair of gems from the last two drafts, Trae Young and John Collins.In all, the Hawks have five picks in the two-round draft, including No. 17 as part of a reported deal that will send Taurean Prince to the Brooklyn Nets."Will we try to be active?" general manager Travis Schlenk said. "Sure."After finishing with the league's fifth-worst record (29-53), the Hawks were hopeful of moving up in the lottery — perhaps even all the way to the No. 1 spot, where they could've grabbed Zion Williamson.But New Orleans defied the odds by claiming the top position, while the Hawks actually tumbled three spots below where they finished to No. 8. They also have the No. 10 pick, acquired from... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — The NBA draft lottery didn't go their way.Still, the Atlanta Hawks are poised to take another big step forward in their massive rebuilding job.With a pair of picks in the top 10 — or perhaps a single selection that's higher than what they have now, should they work out a trade — the Hawks can add to a pair of gems from the last two drafts, Trae Young and John Collins.In all, the Hawks have six picks in the two-round draft, including No. 17 as part of a reported deal that will send Taurean Prince to the Brooklyn Nets."Obviously, we don't want to add six rookies to the team," general manager Travis Schlenk said. "Will we try to be active? Sure."After finishing with the league's fifth-worst record (29-53), the Hawks were hopeful of moving up in the lottery — perhaps even all the way to the No. 1 spot, where they could've grabbed Zion Williamson.But New Orleans defied the odds by claiming the top position, while the Hawks actually tumbled three spots below where they finished... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — No team has more riding on next week's NBA draft lottery than the Atlanta Hawks.If the pingpong balls fall Atlanta's way, the Hawks could be the only team to end up with two of the top nine picks.The last two drafts have set the foundation for the Hawks' makeover. John Collins and Trae Young are the new faces of the franchise .More help is needed following 29 wins this season. General manager Travis Schlenk dares to dream of hitting the jackpot in the May 14 lottery and having the first and ninth picks in the June 20 draft. That best-case scenario would add significant momentum to an already promising rebuilding process."We like the position we're in," Schlenk said Friday following a workout with draft hopefuls at the Hawks' practice facility. "We all know right now we're sitting with the fifth odds and potentially the ninth odds, so it'd be real exciting. The best-case scenario would put us at one and nine. That would be great for the franchise."Schlenk said building a strong... [More]