Trae Young is closing in on Dominique Wilkins.
So, that’s not bad.
The rookie has a chance to match the legend in number of games played and started by a player in his first year with the Atlanta Hawks – as in every one.
Only two rookies in Hawks history, since the franchise relocated from St. Louis in 1968, have started all 82 games in a season. Wilkins did so in 1982-83 and Stacey Augmon in 1991-92. Young has started all 73 games with nine to go before the end of his first season.
Young is already fourth on the Hawks rookie games started list. Al Horford appeared in 81 games, starting 77, in 2007-08.
Young already owns two Atlanta rookie records. He long ago set the mark for assists by a rookie. After an 11-assist game in Thursday’s 117-114 win over the Jazz, Young has 572 on the season. That easily surpassed the 403 of Armond Hill in 1976-77. Young also owns the record for 3-pointers made with 140. Fellow rookie Kevin Huerter is second with 120 as they both surpassed the previous mark of 82 set by Salim Stoudamire in 2005-06.
Young is likely to surpass Wilkins for third place on the Atlanta list for points scored by a rookie before the season is over. Young has 1,353 points, just 81 points behind Wilkins and 89 points behind John Drew from 1974-75. Pete Maravich owns the record with 1,880 points scored in his 81 games played in 1970-71. Young would have to average nine points a game to surpass Wilkins and 10 points to surpass Drew over the final nine games.
Young is also third among Atlanta rookies in free throws made with 301, behind Maravich (404) and Drew (388). He ranks fourth in field goals made with 456 behind Maravich (738), Wilkins (601) and Drew (527).
In addition, Young is third among Atlanta rookies in 30-plus point games with six. He surpassed Wilkins (5) on March 1 with a 49-point game against the Bulls and trails only Maravich (19) and Drew (9).
The Hawks (25-48) host the 76ers on Saturday. To end the season they have games against the Pelicans, Trail Blazers, Bucks (twice), Spurs, 76ers, Magic and Pacers.
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