When the Atlanta Hawks and Oklahoma City Thunder met on Wednesday, the game was much more than just your ordinary regular-season game in March.
For more than one reason, too.
The contest served as a homecoming for Hawks guard Trae Young, who grew up in Norman. He attended Norman High School before playing one season at the University of Oklahoma. He was even a huge fan of the Thunder and looked up to Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
The evening also pitted Young up against Thunder rookie and former teammate Lindy Waters III. The two each played together at Norman High School before competing against one another in college when Waters attended rival Oklahoma State.
All smiles and all love from high school teammates Lindy Waters III and Trae Young 💙@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/RkYb3XIcvf
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) March 31, 2022
The first meeting between the two former teammates saw Young finally pick up his first win in OKC since entering the NBA. Young was 0-3 entering the contest back at home, but the two-time All-Star dropped 41 points in just three quarters to win, 136-118.
The opportunity to face Waters was surreal, Young said.
It was kinda surreal, to be honest. Just growing up with him, we’ve known each other since first, second grade always playing with each other and competing against each other in college. I’ve known him since he was called Trey. He wasn’t Lindy. He was Trey then. That’s my brother from afar and I’m always pulling for him
Oklahoma City signed Waters to a two-way contract in February after spending the season with the Blue in the NBA G League. Waters has since seen a large role with the Thunder and has had the opportunity to play significant minutes of late.
Playing against Young, Waters produced a career-high 25 points on 7-of-13 shooting from 3-point range. His seven 3s tied Tre Mann for the most by a Thunder rookie while he became the first rookie in team history to make at least four triples in four straight games.
Waters was excited to meet Young on an NBA court.
It was a cool moment, for sure. I haven’t really got to have a conversation with him for a while, at least since high school. That was all love. It’s great to see him doing big things. Two kids from Norman, meeting back up in the league. It’s amazing. We’re both proud of each other. We’re going to be around all summer so (hopefully) we’ll get some work in together.
WATCH YOUR HEAD LINDY 😤@okcthunder | #ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/e2iBrLcTor
— Bally Sports Oklahoma (@BallySportsOK) March 31, 2022
The moment between Young and Waters was likely one they will both remember for a long time. It likely served as a reminder of all of the hard work they each put in to reach this point and meet on the same court in the NBA.
Hopefully, it was the first of many future meetings between the two.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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