NBA Playoffs 2021: By The Numbers - Trae Young's playmaking masterclass puts him in historic company

Benyam Kidane

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NBA Playoffs 2021: By The Numbers - Trae Young's playmaking masterclass puts him in historic company image

The playoffs are where you make your name and Trae Young continues to etch his in the record books. 

In the Atlanta Hawks' 103-100 Game 4 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Young delivered a masterpiece with 25 points and a career-high 18 assists, putting his name alongside some NBA legends. 

His combination of scoring and playmaking proved too much for the 76ers in Game 4, scoring the Hawks' final six points, including four clutch free throws, while being responsible for each of their final 15 points after he subbed back into the game with 8:00 remaining. 

TAKEAWAYS: Hawks overcome 18-point deficit to level series

With the series now tied at 2-2, let's take a dive into the numbers behind Young's stellar performance.

30: Years since 

Not since Tim Hardaway has a player recorded that many assists along with 25+ points in a playoff game.

In the Golden State Warriors' 124-119 Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the 1991 postseason, Hardaway recorded 27 points and 20 assists.

1: Trae becomes the Youngest

The Hawks star is the youngest player in NBA history to have 18+ assists in a playoff game, with Spud Webb the previous youngest, who did so for the Atlanta Hawks back in April 1986, EliasSports.

The 22-year-old is also the youngest player with 25 points and 15 assists in a playoff game and joins Chris Paul and Isiah Thomas as the only players to have 20p+/15a+ in a payoff game before turning 23, per StatHead.

1: A franchise first

Young is the first Hawks player in franchise history with 20 points and 15 assists in a playoff game, per StatHead

His 18 assists are tied for the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history, with the record (22) held by none other than 76ers head coach Doc Rivers (1988).

Young also became the first Hawks player since Rivers with 15+ points and 15+ assists in a playoff game. 

75: Percent of Hawks assists

Young was in complete control of the Hawks offence tonight, accounting for 18 of their 24 assists (75 percent), with no other player recording more than two dimes. 

Along with his 25 points, Young was directly responsible for 68 of their 103 points (66 percent), per NBA Stats

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Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.