ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Hawks finally rediscovered the late-game composure that helped take them to the Eastern Conference finals last season.
Trae Young scored 27 points to lead six Atlanta scorers in double figures and the Hawks held off the Los Angeles Clippers 112-106 on Friday night.
The Hawks, who snapped a two-game losing streak, are in danger of missing the postseason. They began the night 10th in the Eastern Conference, holding the final spot in the play-in tournament. The Clippers are eighth in the West.
The Clippers trailed only 108-106 following Ivica Zubac’s hook with 56 seconds remaining. Zubac had 24 points and 12 rebounds.
De’Andre Hunter answered with a short jumper for Atlanta.
“That’s important for us, especially coming down the stretch,” Young said about the Hawks’ late-game poise. “We’ve got to figure out how to close out games better. … We’ve got to consistently do it.”
It was an encouraging sign for Hawks coach Nate McMillan.
“We’ve…