Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young did not hold back following Wednesday night’s season opener, which saw the team fall 138-118 to the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena. “The result was what it was, and it’s embarrassing,” Young said during his postgame press conference.
Young highlighted the team’s struggles on both ends of the court, pointing to transition defense and continuity issues. “Transition defense is on us… we got to get back regardless. It doesn’t matter if we miss or make shots,” he said.
The Hawks’ star guard acknowledged the difficulty of integrating new pieces into the roster. “Of course, a lot of new pieces out there… a lot of it comes from the preseason, obviously, the carryover,” Young added, emphasizing the importance of improving as a team.
Despite the loss, Young maintained a focus on accountability and learning from mistakes. “A lot of it is on us and stuff we can fix, which is a good thing,” he said. “We can make sure we get this right before it’s all over.”
Young also commented on defensive matchups, noting the impact of teammates’ play and officiating. “It’s frustrating when they call two different ways… but we all got to be better. It can’t just be just from Dyson,” he said, referencing rookie Dyson Daniels.
The Hawks struggled offensively, with Young limited from deep, hitting just one of seven three-pointers, while teammate Jalen Johnson contributed 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.
Toronto’s balanced attack overwhelmed Atlanta, with RJ Barrett scoring 25 points, Brandon Ingram adding 16 points and nine rebounds, and Scottie Barnes recording 22 points and nine assists.
The Raptors capitalized on transition opportunities and fast-break scoring, shooting 57% overall, including 69% on two-pointers. Gradey Dick added 19 points off the bench, helping the Raptors set a franchise record for points in an opener.
Young acknowledged the team’s path forward despite the difficult start. “This is game one of 82… we got to learn from every game. This isn’t one you just throw away,” he said. The Hawks will look to rebound quickly when they host the Orlando Magic on Friday.
