Overview

• Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers praised Trae Young for earning the trust of his teammates, a shift from past criticisms of his leadership and defense.
• Young is averaging 21 points and a league-leading 12.2 assists per game, showcasing his ability to elevate teammates and lead Atlanta to a 14-12 record so far this season.
• The Hawks have won seven of their last eight games, including victories over top teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, signaling significant growth from last year's struggles.
• Atlanta's young core, including Jalen Johnson and rookie Zaccharie Risacher, has flourished under Young's leadership, with coach Quin Snyder crediting his evolution as a player and teammate.
• The Hawks face the Bucks on Saturday in the NBA Cup semifinals, with Young looking to continue proving his critics wrong on a national stage.