Trae Young scores 41 in homecoming as Hawks top Thunder

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For once, Trae Young didn't have to play his usual role of villain on the road.

Young had 41 points and eight assists in a warm homecoming, and his Atlanta Hawks rolled past the Oklahoma City Thunder 136-118 on Wednesday night.

Young, who grew up in Norman and played at the University of Oklahoma for one season, made 13 of 24 field goals and 11 of 12 free throws in three quarters of action. He put on a show for a crowd that started cheering for him during pregame introductions and kept it going throughout the game.

"It’s different, for sure," Young said. "I don’t get that very often. But I know there’s a lot of Sooner Nation love in here, a lot of people who grew up watching me play at Norman North High School and things like that."

Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic each scored 20 points for the Hawks, who won their third straight and strengthened their hold on the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta is averaging 129.7 points during the win streak.

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) prepares to shoot as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Vit Krejci, left, and center Olivier Sarr (30) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 30, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Lindy Waters III scored a career-high 25 points and tied a Thunder rookie record with seven 3-pointers.

Young and Waters were high school teammates at Norman North and rivals when Young played for Oklahoma and Waters played for Oklahoma State.

"It’s crazy," Young said. "It’s kind of surreal, to be honest with you. Growing up — we’ve known each other since first, second