The place Trae Younger’s buzzer-beater ranks in NBA historical past

If there was ever a time for Trae Young to interrupt out his signature “ice cold” celebration, it was Tuesday night time. 

With 2.9 seconds left within the recreation and the Hawks out of timeouts, Younger drained a 49-foot buzzer-beater to seal the Hawks’ 124-121 win over the Jazz. The shot was further particular since Jazz guard Colin Sexton made a 3 lower than a second earlier than to tie the sport at 121 apiece. At that time, Younger might have dribbled out the clock and tried to win the sport in time beyond regulation. As a substitute, he launched a prayer from past halfcourt over the outstretched arms of a Jazz defender. 

In line with the NBA, Younger’s shot was the sixth-longest game-winning buzzer-beater in league historical past.

Devonte’ Graham’s 61-foot buzzer-beater in Dec. 2021 nonetheless holds the file for the farthest game-winner, adopted by Max Strus (59-foot, Feb. 2024), Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (55-foot, Nov. 1992), “Dr. J” Julius Erving (53-foot, Feb. 1986) and Tyreke Evans (50-foot, Dec. 2010). The St. Louis Bombers’ Belus Smawley made a 50-foot shot in Nov. 1948, however that was earlier than the inception of the three-point line.

In gentle of Younger’s hail Mary shot, the NBA compiled a video of the farthest game-winners since 2014. 

Younger made extra historical past Tuesday by turning into the primary participant to file 20 assists and a game-winning buzzer-beater in the identical recreation, per ESPN Research. He dished out 11 of these dimes within the second half because the Hawks survived a late avalanche from the Jazz to tug off the win. 

After the sport, Younger spoke on the significance of setting the tone for his teammates and understanding when to take over as a scorer.

“That is a part of what I do,” Younger stated, via ESPN. “I all the time get guys concerned, all the time been capable of finding folks. I really feel like I am the sort of man who can go you open. You do not simply need to be open for me to get you the ball. I can see issues and get you into a great place.”

Averaging 12.2 dimes per game, Younger is on tempo to guide the league in assists for the primary time in his profession. The purpose guard led in whole assists in 2021-22 (737) and 2022-23 (741), however completed second and third, respectively, in help averages.