The Chicago Bulls dealt a blow to the Atlanta Hawks in their playoff opener on Wednesday night, leaving Hawks fans disheartened as their postseason dreams were dashed. Despite the efforts of the Dejounte Murray-Trae Young partnership, the Hawks fell short against a determined Bulls team.

Struggling to keep pace with the Bulls, the Hawks found themselves outmatched as Coby White led the charge with a remarkable 40+ point performance.

Defensive lapses and costly mistakes plagued the Hawks, resulting in a decisive 116-131 defeat and a missed opportunity to advance to the next round, where the Miami Heat await.

Numbers indicate a flaw in the Hawks star duo

The loss has raised significant concerns about the future of both Hawks stars within the team. Speculation abounds regarding potential trades for either Murray or Young, as the duo has yet to deliver the expected results despite being hailed as two of the NBA’s hottest talents.

With two years passing without tangible success, fans are left questioning the next steps for the team’s management.

Trade rumors surrounding Murray and Young have intensified, with the possibility of either or both being moved to become increasingly likely. Some speculate that the Hawks may opt to undergo a rebuilding phase, parting ways with their star players in pursuit of a new direction.

An analysis by StatMuse sheds light on the situation, revealing intriguing statistics. The Atlanta Hawks boast a .500 win percentage with only Trae Young on the court, mirroring the same success rate with Dejounte Murray alone. However, when the duo shares the court, the win percentage drops to a disappointing .417.

Notably, the Hawks have struggled in games where Murray and Young have both featured, exemplified by their recent defeat against the Bulls. With concerns mounting, the Hawks are urged to take decisive action to address underlying issues and steer the team back on track.