Trae Young added to his status as a “villain” in New York after the Atlanta Hawks’ 108-100 road win over the Knicks in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals. With just seconds remaining in the game, Young made a bold statement by shooting dice on the Knicks’ logo at midcourt, a gesture that drew boos and jeers from the Madison Square Garden crowd. He then shared a celebratory handshake with teammate Jalen Johnson as the Knicks’ fans voiced their displeasure.
Young backed up his antics with a strong performance, posting a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists in 36 minutes of play. His key contribution came in the third quarter, where he scored 12 of his points, helping the Hawks overcome a 54-47 halftime deficit to take control of the game. The Hawks never looked back, finishing the quarter with a 81-72 lead. De’Andre Hunter led the team in scoring with 24 points, while Jalen Johnson added 21 points and 15 rebounds.
In a postgame interview, Young reflected on his complex relationship with Knicks fans, acknowledging both the love and hate he receives from them. He stated, “It’s a love-hate relationship… I got a lot of love and a lot of hate, I guess, from them but I got a lot of love for them, too. So, it’s respect.” The rivalry dates back to the 2021 playoffs when Young’s impressive performances and his animated interactions with Knicks fans sparked animosity.
With the win, the Hawks are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas.
