Hawks' Trae Young has career-high 22 assists to stun Cavaliers - ESPN

CLEVELAND — The NBA's leader in assists handed Cleveland a rare loss.

Trae Young had a career-high 22 assists — the most in the NBA this season — and scored 20 points as the Atlanta Hawks handed Cleveland just its second loss this season, beating the Cavaliers 135-124 on Thursday night.

The Cavs, which built an early 19-point lead against the Hawks, fell to 17-2 and lost for the first time in 11 home games.

One of the game's deepest shooters, Young also made a 39-foot 3-pointer in the final two minutes as the Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak and got their second major road win after knocking off the champion Celtics in Boston on Nov. 12.

Young's assist total was one better than the 21 recorded by New Orleans guard Elfrid Payton earlier this week against Indiana. It was also just one shy of the Hawks' team record held by Mookie Blaylock, who got 23 assists on March 6, 1993 against Utah.

«He threw himself into the game,» Hawks coach Quin Snyder said of Young, who came into the game averaging 11.9 assists. «The biggest thing is he just moved the ball, and he forced guys to run. He gave guys opportunities in the open court and he trusted his teammates.»

Young picked up eight assists in the fourth quarter as the Hawks outplayed the Cavs down the stretch.

Young fed teammate De'Andre Hunter for two baskets, Dyson Daniels for another and made two free throws to put the Hawks up 126-118. Moments later, Young lost the handle and Ty Jerome's 3-pointer pulled the Cavs within 126-122.

Young nearly gave it away again, but after corralling the loose ball, he drilled his 3-pointer just inside the half-court logo to put Atlanta ahead by seven.

«I couldn't let my team down twice in a row, so I had to make the play,» said Young. «I