Young scores season-high 42 as Hawks beat Nuggets 125-121

Trae Young scored 15 of his season-high 42 points in the fourth quarter and added 11 assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks over the Denver Nuggets 125-121 on Tuesday night.

Young finished seven points shy of his career high set March 1 against Chicago last season. He was 13 of 21 from the field and finished 8 for 13 on 3-pointers.

Jabari Parker had 20 points and nine rebounds, and Alex Len scored 17 for the Hawks, who played most of the second half without guard Kevin Huerter.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Huerter was hurt when he was fouled by Nikola Jokic with 9:57 remaining in the third. Jokic slapped down on his arm as Huerter was starting to go up with the ball and he immediately grabbed his left arm. He was holding the arm against his body as he walked to the locker room.

Huerter was ruled out for the game later in the period.

Will Barton led Denver with 21 points, Jokic had 20 and Paul Millsap added 19. The Nuggets had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, looks to pass the ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Young, who had 17 points in the first half, shouldered the load on offense after Huerter left. Young put up 10 points in the third and then carried the Hawks in the fourth, scoring more than half of their 27 points.

Denver rallied early in the fourth to tie it at 101 but Young hit a pair of 3-pointers and a floater to put Atlanta ahead 114-106. The Nuggets couldn't get closer than four the rest of the way.

Atlanta, which trailed 12-0 in the opening minutes, rallied to take a 63-54 lead at halftime. The Hawks increased their lead to 13 in the third.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jabari Parker laughs as he tells a fan that he has four fouls, not five, late in the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. Atlanta won 125-121. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

TIP-INS

Hawks: F Allen Crabbe (knee) was dressed but coach Lloyd Pierce didn't want to use him. "He's still in the emergency situation. We needed a body to dress," Pierce said. ... Atlanta shot 68 percent (15 of 22) in the second quarter.

Nuggets: G Malik Beasley was inactive due to illness. He sat out the second half of Sunday's win at Minnesota. ... The 38 points allowed in the second quarter and the 63 points in the first half were the most Denver has given up.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young reacts as he is fouled while receiving a pass, as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, guard Jamal Murray and forward Will Barton, from left, defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. Atlanta won 125-121. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

UP NEXT

Hawks: At the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.

Nuggets: Host the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night.

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Atlanta Hawks forward Jabari Parker, left, defends as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray looks for a shot during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. Atlanta won 125-121. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, front, goes up for a basket as Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. Atlanta won 125-121. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., left, is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)