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RECAP: Trae Young leads Hawks past short-handed Clippers

Jan 26, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) battles for a rebound against Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) and center Clint Capela (15) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Trae Young returned to the Atlanta lineup and scored 38 points, his third straight game with 30-plus points, and the Hawks defeated the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers 108-99 on Tuesday in Atlanta.

Young, who missed Sunday’s game at Milwaukee with back spasms, was 12-for-23 from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and was 11-for-11 from the line, as the Hawks won for the fourth time in five games.

Also returning for Atlanta was Clint Capela, who missed the last game with right hand soreness. Capela had 13 points and 19 rebounds, his third straight game with at least 19 rebounds.

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The Clippers were playing without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who did not make the trip. The duo was left behind because of the league’s health and safety protocols involving COVID-19. Los Angeles was also without Patrick Beverley, who missed the game with right knee soreness.

Atlanta also got 22 points from De’Andre Hunter, 13 points from Kevin Huerter — all in the fourth quarter — and 11 points and 11 rebounds from John Collins.

Reggie Jackson led Los Angeles with 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists and Serge Ibaka added 15 points. Ivica Zubac and Luke Kennard both scored 13.

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Atlanta led 22-21 after the first quarter, but the Clippers had a late surge in the second quarter and took their largest lead of the half on Ibaka’s hook shot with 1:00 left. Los Angeles had a 48-43 halftime lead.

The Hawks came back to tie the game 55-55 on a basket by Capela and enjoyed a seven-point lead when Hunter made a pair of free throws with 54 seconds remaining for a 75-68 lead.

Los Angeles had a 78-75 lead on a Zubac slam, but Huerter changed the momentum with a pair of 3-pointers and a layup to restore the lead to five points, and Hunter scored off a Solomon Hill steal for an 86-79 lead with 7:55 remaining.

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The Hawks complete a back-to-back on Wednesday when they host the Brooklyn Nets. The Clippers continue their six-game road trip on Thursday against Miami.

–Field Level Media

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