Trae Young Plays Villain Again as Hawks Stun Knicks to Advance in NBA Cup
NEW YORK — If there’s one thing Trae Young knows how to do, it’s play the villain at Madison Square Garden. And on Wednesday night, he did it again. Young delivered a stellar performance with 22 points and 11 assists, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 108-100 victory over the New York Knicks. The win sends the Hawks to the semifinals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, continuing their Cinderella run in the tournament.
But Young wasn’t the only Hawk soaring high. De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson were dominant, outplaying the Knicks’ frontcourt. Hunter dropped 24 points, while Johnson stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. The Hawks, who entered the tournament as underdogs, have now knocked off some of the league’s best, including the defending champion Celtics and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, to reach this stage.
Next up for Atlanta? A showdown with the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday in Las Vegas. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the Hawks are proving they’re ready for the challenge.
Knicks Fall Short Despite Strong Start
For the Knicks, this one stings. After going 4-0 in group play and entering the game as one of the tournament favorites, they seemed poised to make a deep run. They even jumped out to a 12-point lead early in the game. But as Knicks fans know all too well, Trae Young loves to crush their dreams. Just like in the 2021 playoffs, Young was celebrating on the MSG floor while the Knicks were left wondering what went wrong.
Josh Hart led the way for New York with 21 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 points and a monster 19 rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a disastrous second half, where the Knicks were outscored 61-46.
Key Moments and Takeaways
The turning point came in the third quarter. The Knicks were clinging to a 66-62 lead when Trae Young decided to take over. He scored eight straight points, including a jaw-dropping 31-foot three-pointer that had him pointing to the floor in celebration. Hunter followed with a three-pointer of his own, capping an 11-0 run that gave Atlanta its first lead of the game at 73-66. From there, the Hawks never looked back.
- Key Stat: Atlanta outscored New York 61-46 in the second half, a testament to their resilience and ability to adjust.
- Takeaway for the Hawks: This young team is gaining invaluable experience and proving they can hang with the league’s best. With two more wins, they could shock the world and take home the NBA Cup.
- Takeaway for the Knicks: A team that looked like a favorite to win it all now has to regroup after a second-half collapse. They’re 0-2 against Atlanta this season, and that’s a trend they’ll need to reverse if they want to contend in the East.
What’s Next?
While the Hawks head to Las Vegas with their sights set on the NBA Cup, the Knicks will have to lick their wounds and prepare for a Sunday matchup in Orlando. For Atlanta, the dream is alive. For New York, it’s back to the drawing board.
One thing is for sure: Trae Young’s villain arc at Madison Square Garden is far from over. Knicks fans may not like it, but the Hawks’ star seems to thrive on their boos. And with the way Atlanta is playing, they might just have the last laugh.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
