
Anfernee Simons leads Portland to win over Atlanta, despite Trae Young’s 56-point night
Anfernee Simons leads Portland to win over Atlanta, despite Trae Young’s 56-point night
- Hawks
- Trail Blazers
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SportsWriters
The Portland Trail Blazers ended a four-game losing streak on Monday with a 136-131 victory over the Atlanta Hawks behind a career-high 43 points by Anfernee Simons. The accomplishment came following the loss of Simon’s grandfather, who died from pancreatic cancer on Sunday.
“I came in with a heavy heart, but obviously a clear mind for what I needed to do,” Simons said.
In the game, Simons scored nine 3-pointers, the most by any Portland player this year. Simons, who is 22 years old, is the youngest Portland player ever to score over 40 points in a game.
“This is all him, honestly,” Simons said afterward about his grandfather, who he called Papa. “I give credit to him, dedicated this whole game to him.”
On the opposing team, Trae Young also had a great performance, scoring 56 points on 17 of 26 shots from the field, and 7 of 12 from 3 point range, including a three-pointer from the center-court logo late in the first half. In addition, he also dished out 14 assists.
“I don’t care about nothing besides the fact we lost, so it sucks I had this type of night on a loss because at the end of the day that’s all that matters to me,” Young said. “I just wish we would have won.”
With 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, Portland took a 112-107 lead on a Ben McLemore layup, and Nassir Little’s 3-pointer. Simons’ floater stretched the margin to 118-111, but the Hawks hung in there until the end.







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Trae Young joined some elite company on Monday night
Young scores NBA season-best 56 points; Blazers beat Hawks
Blazers top Hawks, weather Young's NBA season-best 56 points - Associated Press
Young scores NBA season-best 56 points; Blazers beat Hawks
Blazers Top Hawks, Weather Young's NBA Season-Best 56 Points https://usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2022/01/04/blazers-top-hawks-weather-youngs-nba-season-best-56-points/49607467/… Via @USATODAY