ATLANTA, GA – Thanks to a big night from Trae Young, the (9) Atlanta Hawks routed the (10) Charlotte Hornets 132-103 in the 9-10 game to set up a showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the East eighth seed, and the right to face the top-seeded Miami Heat.
Young, who started off slow, scored 24 points with De’Andre Hunter adding 22 points and seven rebounds and Clint Capela adding 15 points and 17 rebounds. The Hawks won the season series, 3-1 over the Cavs, including a split in Cleveland.
For the Hornets, their season is over despite a brilliant 26-point performance from LaMelo Ball. Terry Rozier added 21 points, while Miles Bridges added12 points, before being ejected and striking a fan with his mouthpiece.
In the Western play-in matchup, C.J. McCollum scored 32 points—including going 3-5 from three-point range—with Brandon Ingram adding 27 points and Jonas Valenciunas adding 22 points and 14 rebounds in the (9) New Orleans Pelicans 113-103 win over the (10) San Antonio Spurs. With the win, the Pels play the (8) Los Angeles Clippers for the Western Conference’s eighth seed. The winner will face the top-seeded Phoenix Suns.
Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 23 points, with Dejounte Murray and Jakob Poeltl adding 16 points each.