The Madison Square Garden crowd was doing anti-Trae Young chants even before Wednesday's game started. In the third quarter, the Atlanta Hawks star had his response en route to the team's 108-100 win.
Risacher block ➡️ Jalen Johnson bucket and the foul
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024
Hawks keeping it close in the 3Q!
Quarterfinals on ESPN pic.twitter.com/ebBucYnkma
Atlanta went on a 25-6 run in the third quarter thanks to two big factors: Defense and Young. With Atlanta trailing 62-52, Young began asserting himself on offense. He scored four points and assisted on two baskets during an initial 10-2 run.
After Karl-Anthony Towns tipped in his own miss, Young responded with back-to-back three-pointers, the second coming from 30 feet out.
TRAE FROM DEEP pic.twitter.com/2AF7ozw7q1
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024
By forcing misses, the Hawks were able to get out in transition regularly. The Knicks looked discombobulated on defense, especially when the Hawks drove to the hoop. After two such De'Andre Hunter drives closed the half, Atlanta finished the quarter with a nine-point lead, winning the quarter, 34-18, and ultimately the game.
HAWKS ON A 27-8 RUN
— NBA (@NBA) December 12, 2024
De'Andre Hunter slams it down with authority as the Hawks continue a strong 3Q!
Quarterfinals on ESPN pic.twitter.com/T1CZWEmh6K
Young has been Public Enemy No. 1 for Knicks fans since he averaged 29.2 points and 9.8 assists in a first-round win over New York in 2021, which ended with Young taking a bow at center court. Since then, profane chants about Young have become the norm at MSG, even when the Hawks aren't playing.
It might have lit a fire under Young in Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal, with the Hawks' big run happening after the chants started up again. Young ended up pulling this disrespectful move on the Knicks' logo.
Trae Young pretends to shoot dice on the Knicks logo following the Hawks win
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 12, 2024
Atlanta is ready for Las Vegas!pic.twitter.com/R9Ro9T34LY
Young is clearly in the fans' heads — especially now that he and the Hawks beat the Knicks.
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