Trae Young finished with 18 points and 10 assists but the Hawks lost to the Hornets 113-102 Tuesday night in Charlotte.
The Hawks started 2018 first-round draft picks Young, Kevin Huerter and Omari Spellman for the first time this season and pushed the Hornets before losing for the eighth time in the last nine meetings between the teams.
The Hawks, who had a three-point halftime lead, were outscored 62-48 in the second half.
Even after falling behind 81-77 entering the fourth quarter, the Hawks forged an 84-83 advantage with 10:04 to play before Charlotte went on a 19-4 surge to give them a comfortable lead down the stretch. The Hornets eventually led by as many as 15.
Jeremy Lin led the Hawks (3-7) with 19 points. Kent Bazemore added 16.
Young also had six turnovers. He hit 8 of 19 field goals but was 0 for 7 on 3-pointers.
Former Hawks player Marvin Williams scored 20 for Charlotte (6-5). Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 29 points.
The Hawks host the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
