The Atlanta Hawks couldn't take advantage of a golden opportunity to cause a major upset by eliminating the Philadelphia 76ers.
Leading by double digits early in the game, the Hawks offence faulted, allowing the Sixers to ease their way back into the game.
Head coach Nate McMillan lamented the Hawks offensive execution after the hot start.
"I just thought we needed to be more patient on the offensive end of the floor," McMillan said.
"I thought when were got off to a decent start we started to take quick shots. We didn't make them work defensively. Taking care of the ball, all the things we talked about, I thought they won the hustle game and were the more aggressive team."
Star guard Trae Young posted his usual big numbers, finishing with 34 points and 12 assists. In his first postseason like many of his teammates, Young didn't believe the team was anxious despite their 13-for-24 mark from the free-throw line.
"I missed way too many free-throws tonight, I think I missed two or three, but I don't know. I don't know if it was anxious or anything like that it's just basketball, it's hard, it's hard to win," Young told reporters postgame.
"They were the No. 1 seed for a reason, they've got a lot of talent over there. For us, I don't think guys were anxious, this is two really good teams and guys are battling it out."
The loss sets up another first for Young, that being his first Game 7. The Hawks have had success on the road in the series so far, having taken Game 1 and 5 on the Sixers floor.
"I didn't think any of it matters, it's one game. They came in and took care of business to force a Game 7. All the other games don't mean anything, it's one game. Both teams are in a win or go home situation."
Playing the villain card to perfection, Young has produced some of his biggest performances on the road. Thriving in the hostile postseason atmosphere, Young is treating the moment like any other game.
"I'm always comfortable. It's basketball at the end of the day and that's how I feel. I'm always comfortable when I'm on the court and I've worked so hard and put in the work. No matter if it's Game 1 or Game 7 I'm going to feel comfortable."
"We got to go in there with the right mindset. Go in there locked in and go in there like it's a business trip. Go in there and try to take care of business and that's the plan."
"It's one game. it's win or go home. Both teams are going to fight, it's Game 7, this is what everybody wants. I'm just going to go out there and have fun."
The Hawks will be sweating on the availability of starting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, with the sharpshooter leaving the game during the fourth quarter and not returning due to knee soreness. With no update on Bogdanovic's status for the series decider, Young believes the Hawks will be ready regardless of whether he can take the floor.
"I don't know too much, I know he was out for most of the second half, I know he's going to try and get treatment to be ready for Game 7 but if he's not it's the next man up. We got to be ready to play with or without him. Obviously he's a big piece of our team, he brings a lot of scoring but nobody is going to feel sorry for us if we lose so we got to go out there and play hard."
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