Dejounte Murray and Trae Young ‘Set the Tone’ During Atlanta’s Season-Opening Win Over Houston
A new era has begun for the Atlanta Hawks. Their marquee addition to their roster was All-Star combo guard Dejounte Murray. Murray is known for his defensive presence on the perimeter and all-around play. Trae Young is an offensive maestro who led the NBA in both total points and total assists in only his fourth season.
Together, they’re expected to be a fearsome backcourt and a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference. They didn’t disappoint in their Wednesday night regular season debut against the Houston Rockets.
The Atlanta Hawks backcourt combined for 43 points and 24(!!) assists. Murray added five steals, while Young went 8/8 from the free-throw line. The Hawks won 117-107, and despite their excellent play, they have plenty of room to improve. Murray and Young shot a combined 2-14 from three and committed eight turnovers.
Still, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about where this team could go.
Postgame, Murray said that although he and Young are the main attractions, their main goal as the starting backcourt is to “set the tone,” while reiterating that they’re focused on making the Hawks a better team moving forward.
“The Atlanta Hawks are not me and Trae, but we set the tone,” Murray said, per ESPN. “We’re gonna get better.”
The effects of their playmaking could be seen as four Hawks players put up 20 or more points. John Collins finished with a game-high 24 points, and De’Andre Hunter kicked in another 22. But Murray also felt the rebuilding Rockets should not have been able to stick around as long as they did.
“I feel like the game was too close,” Murray said before he rated his performance, “6 out of 10.”
If what they were able to do Wednesday is any indication of where they’re going to take their games this season, a return to the Eastern Conference Finals and maybe beyond could be in the cards. Not many teams can boast two guards who can make plays and score at the level of Young and Murray.
